1934, Zhao Cangbi joined the Farmers' Association of Dongyang District, Qingjian County, and 1935 joined China. Zhao Cangbi used to be the chairman of the Soviet government in Dongyang District of Qingjian County, the director of the patrol team of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Security Department, the deputy commander of the Trilateral Security Command, the director of the Longdong Security Department, the deputy director of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Security Department, the director of the Beiping Public Security Bureau and the deputy director of the Nanjing Public Security Bureau.

After the founding of People's Republic of China (PRC), Zhao Cangbi successively served as Deputy Minister of Public Security of Southwest Military and Political Committee, Deputy Director of Public Security Bureau of Southwest Administrative Committee, Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, Vice Governor of Sichuan Province and Director of Public Security Department, Executive Vice Governor, Secretary of the Secretariat of Sichuan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (persecuted and imprisoned during the Cultural Revolution) and Permanent Secretary. 1In March, 977, Zhao Cangbi was transferred to the post of Minister of Public Security, Party Secretary, Member of the Central Political and Legal Committee, Political Commissar of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force and Central Guard. 1985 to 1992 as a member of the the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Advisory Committee.

Zhao Cangbi, member of the 11th and 12th CPC Central Committee, member of the Central Advisory Committee, and representative of the 3rd National People's Congress.

Zhao Cangbi died in 1993 at the age of 82.