Wei was born and raised in Heishan County, Liaoning. He graduated from Liaoning Textile Industry College (辽宁省纺织工业学校). Beginning in 1982, he served in several posts in Kaiyuan Textile Mill, where he was eventually promoted to plant manager and the Chinese Communist Party Committee Secretary of the mill.[citation needed]
He served as Vice Mayor of Kaiyuan from March 1997 to January 1999, and Communist Party Secretary, the top political position in the city, from January 2001 to December 2010, while also holding a seat on the Party Standing Committee of Tieling, the prefecture-level city of which Kaiyuan is under jurisdiction. Kaiyuan's national prominence grew significantly during Wei's term in office, mostly due to the fame of sketch comedy star Zhao Benshan, who is native to the area. Wei attended the premiere of the third installment of Xiangcun Aiqing ("Rural Love") produced by Zhao Benshan in December 2009. At the event, Wei showered Zhao with praise, saying, "Thank you to our dear Benshan, who has supported the development of Tieling and Kaiyuan in recent years. Tieling is now famous because it is known as the home of Zhao Benshan. Tieling will continue to provide the strongest support possible to Zhao Benshan and his artistic and life endeavours."[3]
On January 16, 2014, he has been put under investigation for alleged violations of discipline and law.[5] His links to Zhao Benshan have been highlighted by Chinese-language media.[3]
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.