Niu was born in Laoting County, Hebei in March 1955. He joined the People's Liberation Army in December 1970. He worked in the 38th Army for a long time. In 1996, he was transferred to the People's Armed Police. He then continued working in the People's Armed Police, holding positions as division commander of the 4th Division, chief commander of Tibet Armed Police Corps, and chief commander of Guangdong Armed Police Corps. In 2007 he became deputy chief of staff of the People's Armed Police, rising to chief of staff in 2009. In 2015 he was promoted to deputy commander of the People's Armed Police.[6]
Niu became an alternate member of the 18th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party in 2012. On October 27, 2016, Niu was expelled from the Chinese Communist Party at the 6th plenary session of the 18th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.[7]
PB Former member of the Politburo; PLA Also a military official; CDI Member of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection or affiliates ; S Committed suicide 1For details on the civil service ranks of officials, please see Civil Service of the People's Republic of China; 2Army generals listed have attained at least the rank of Major General, which usually enjoys the same administrative privileges as a civilian official of sub-provincial rank.