Zhao Leji, a native of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, was born in Xining, Qinghai Province in March 1957. Zhao started work in September 1974 and joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in July 1975.

Sep. 1974-Aug. 1975: Worked for the Gong Ba production team in Guide County, Qinghai Province.

Aug. 1975-Feb. 1977: Correspondent for the Office of Qinghai's Department of Commerce.

Feb. 1977-Jan. 1980: Took up studies at Peking University in the Department of Philosophy.

Jan. 1980-Aug. 1980: In charge of publicity in the Political Division of the Qinghai Department of Commerce.

Aug. 1980-Nov. 1983: Teacher and vice dean of the Qinghai Business School.

Nov. 1983-Dec. 1984: deputy head of the Political Division of the Qinghai Department of Commerce.

Dec. 1984- Apr. 1986: Party chief and manager of Qinghai Hardware, Electrical and Chemical Industrial Corporation.

Apr. 1986- Feb 1993: Vice head, head and Party chief of the Qinghai Department of Commerce.

Feb. 1993-Dec.1997: Assistant to the governor, head of the provincial department of finance and vice governor of Qinghai.

May 1997: Secretary of CPC Xining Municipal Committee.

Dec. 1997-Apr. 1998: Deputy secretary of the CPC Qinghai Provincial Committee.

Aug. 1999-Dec.2002: Vice governor, acting governor and governor of Qinghai.

Jan. 2003: Re-elected as governor of Qinghai at the first session of the 10th Qinghai People's Congress.

Aug. 2003: Appointed secretary of the CPC Qinghai Provincial Committee.

He is currently serving as a member of the 16th CPC Central Committee.