1988, successively served as ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Romanian, Luxemburg and German embassies, worked in Europe for 28 years, and was China's first ambassador to Germany.

In 2002, he served as President of Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.

In 2006, he served as honorary president, member of the Committee of the Ninth China People's Political Consultative Conference and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

He is currently a member and special coordinator of the International Advisory Group of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

Consultant of the National Party Construction Research Association;

Senior consultant of China Institute of International Strategic Studies;

Honorary President of China Talent magazine;

Adjunct professor in Peking University, Tsinghua University, Foreign Affairs University, China University of Mining and Technology, East China Normal University, and consultant in many provinces and cities.