1. Overview
Li Lecheng (李乐成Lǐ LèchéngChinese; born March 27, 1965) is a prominent Chinese politician and a member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). His career reflects a significant progression through various key administrative and party roles within China's centralized political system. Beginning his professional life in state-owned enterprises in his native Hubei Province, Li Lecheng transitioned into public service, holding important positions in local and provincial governments, including Mayor of Yichang and Party Secretary of Xiangyang. He further ascended to the role of Executive Vice Governor of Hubei before being appointed Governor of Liaoning Province in 2021, a critical industrial region. In 2025, he was appointed as the Party Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, a central government position overseeing China's industrial and technological development. His career trajectory exemplifies the path of a technocrat rising through the ranks of the Chinese bureaucracy, demonstrating adherence to party directives and administrative efficiency within the framework of China's one-party rule. He is also a member of the 20th Central Committee of the CCP.
2. Early Life and Education
Li Lecheng's foundational years were spent in Hubei Province, where he received his early education and began his academic pursuits.
2.1. Birth and Early Life
Li Lecheng was born on March 27, 1965, in Jianli County (now a county-level city), which is part of Jingzhou, Hubei, China. He is of Han ethnicity. He completed his primary and secondary education in his local area.
2.2. Education
In September 1980, at the age of 15, Li Lecheng enrolled in the Huazhong Institute of Technology (now known as Huazhong University of Science and Technology) in Wuhan, Hubei Province. This institution is a key university for technology in central China. He pursued a Bachelor's degree in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Mechanical Manufacturing Process Equipment and Automation. He graduated in August 1984, at the age of 19.
Beyond his undergraduate studies, Li Lecheng participated in various training programs for party members and cadres. From September to November 2002, he attended a training course for sheng-level (departmental-level) cadres at the Hubei Provincial Party Committee Party School. He also undertook advanced public management training sessions organized by the Development Research Center of the State Council, Tsinghua University, and the Harvard Kennedy School in the United States. Additionally, in April 2006, he completed an advanced cadre training program organized by the Central Organization Department of the Chinese Communist Party.
3. Early Career
Li Lecheng's career began in state-owned enterprises, where he gained significant experience in industrial management before transitioning into public office.
3.1. Career in State-Owned Enterprises
In August 1984, following his university graduation, Li Lecheng joined the Shayang Machinery Factory in Shayang County, part of Jingmen, Hubei Province, as a technician. This factory was a state-owned production facility. Over the next 12 years, from 1984 to 1996, he steadily advanced through various roles within the factory, including Director of the Technology Section, Director of the Technology Development Office, Deputy Factory Director, and eventually Factory Director.
In December 1996, he was appointed Deputy General Manager and Party Committee Member of the Jingmen Machinery Metallurgical Industry Corporation in Hubei. His ascent continued, and in February 1998, he was promoted to General Manager and Party Committee Secretary of the same corporation. In November 2000, Li Lecheng transferred to Hubei Dongguang Group Co., Ltd., a state-owned enterprise specializing in the production of optical equipment, where he served as Vice Chairman of the Board. By July 2001, he had risen to become Chairman, General Manager, and Party Committee Secretary of Hubei Dongguang Group. His 18-year career in state-owned factories and companies concluded in 2002, marking his transition to public service.
4. Political Career
Li Lecheng's political career has seen him hold significant positions at local, provincial, and central government levels within the Chinese political system.
4.1. Local Government in Hubei Province
Li Lecheng entered politics in January 2002, when he was appointed a Member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party Jingmen Municipal Committee, the highest authority in the city of Jingmen. Concurrently, in February 2002, he became President of the Jingmen Trade Union Federation. In September 2003, he took on the additional role of Head of the Organization Department of the Jingmen Municipal Committee.
In January 2007, he was elevated to the position of Vice Mayor of Jingmen, at which point he ceased serving as Head of the Organization Department. His tenure in Jingmen concluded in February 2008 when he was transferred to Yichang. In Yichang, he was appointed Deputy Party Secretary of the Yichang Municipal Committee and served as Acting Mayor. He was officially confirmed as the Mayor of Yichang in March 2008, holding a Zheng-ting (departmental-level) position. He remained in Yichang for six years.
4.2. Key Positions in Hubei Province
In February 2013, Li Lecheng was transferred back to the provincial center, where he was appointed Party Group Secretary of the Hubei Provincial Development and Reform Commission. In March of the same year, he also became Director of the Hubei Provincial Development and Reform Commission and Director of the Hubei Provincial Xinjiang Aid Work Office. He held these positions until February 2017, when he was transferred to Xiangyang.
In Xiangyang, Li Lecheng was appointed Party Secretary, the top political position in the city. From June 2017, he concurrently served as Director of the Xiangyang People's Congress Standing Committee. In June 2017, he was further promoted to become a Member of the Chinese Communist Party Provincial Standing Committee of Hubei, attaining a deputy provincial/ministerial level position. He continued to lead Xiangyang until 2021. In January 2021, he was appointed Deputy Party Group Secretary of the Hubei Provincial People's Government and was subsequently elected and confirmed as the Executive Vice Governor of Hubei Province.
4.3. Leadership in Liaoning Province
On October 20, 2021, the Central Organization Department and the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party decided to transfer Li Lecheng to Liaoning Province. He was appointed Deputy Party Secretary of the Liaoning Provincial Committee and Party Group Secretary of the Liaoning Provincial People's Government. On the same day, the 29th Session of the 13th Liaoning Provincial People's Congress Standing Committee elected him as Deputy Governor and Acting Governor of Liaoning, succeeding Liu Ning. This marked his departure from Hubei after over 35 years of service in his home province. As Governor, he was the second-in-command, responsible for coordinating and assisting the Party Secretary of Liaoning Provincial Committee, Zhang Guoqing. His tenure as Governor of Liaoning concluded on February 28, 2025.
4.4. Central Government Appointment
On February 28, 2025, Li Lecheng was appointed as the Party Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). In this central government role, he succeeded Jin Zhuanglong. This appointment places him at the helm of a key ministry responsible for China's industrial and information technology development.
5. Party Activities
Li Lecheng's long-standing affiliation with the Chinese Communist Party has been central to his political career. He officially joined the CCP in December 1991. His dedication to party principles and his progression through various party roles underscore his commitment to the party's objectives. In October 2022, he participated in the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party as a delegate from Liaoning. During the congress, on October 22, 2022, he was elected as a member of the 20th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, a significant body within the party's leadership structure.