 He was vice-mayor of Hebi from January 2000 to March 2001 and vice-mayor of Anyang from March 2001 to November 2003.He became Deputy Communist Party Secretary of Zhoukou in November 2003, and then Communist Party Secretary, the top political position in the city, beginning in December 2011.During his time as Communist Party Secretary of Zhoukou, he led the Henan Grave Removal Project, which led to great controversy and fierce opposition from the local people.