Li was born in Suizhong County, Liaoning. He joined the workforce in 1974, and became a member of the Communist Party in 1985. From 1978 to 1982, he studied in Shenyang Agricultural University. Li became the Director of Department of Agriculture of Liaoning in 1998, and became the Mayor of Yingkou in 2001. In 2004, he served as the Party Secretary of Tieling. Li was appointed as vice-chairman of the Liaoning People's Congress in 2012.[1]
On February 28, 2017, Li Wenke was suspected of "serious violations of party discipline", and placed under investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).[2] On May 10, 2017, Li was expelled from the Communist Party.[3]
On September 13, 2018, Li was sentenced on 16 years in prison and fined three million yuan for taking bribes worth 36.59 million yuan and giving bribes worth 1.86 million yuan by the Intermediate People's Court in Tonghua.
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.