Li was born in Hefei, Anhui in January 1949. In September 2000, he became political commissar of the 31st Group Army. In July 2005, he became director of political department of Nanjing Military Region. He was elevated to deputy political commissar of Nanjing Military Region in December 2006.[1] In September 2007, he was appointed as political commissar of Lanzhou Military Region.[citation needed]