When ChemChina's chairman Ren Jianxin retired in July 2018, Ning was appointed chairman of ChemChina, while retaining his chairmanship of Sinochem Group. In September 2020 he confirmed that ChemChina and Sinochem Group were discussing a merger.
Upon the retirement of ChemChina's chairman Ren Jianxin in July 2018, Ning assumed leadership of both ChemChina and his existing role as chairman of Sinochem Group. Subsequently, in September 2020, he acknowledged that ChemChina and Sinochem Group were engaged in discussions about a possible merger.