 Tong was born in Baoqing County, Heilongjiang in June 23, 1958, which traces his ancestry to Changsha, Hunan.Tong became involved in politics in October 1975 and he joined the Communist Party of China in April 1979.During the Cultural Revolution, Tong worked at Bawuer Farm in Heilongjiang between October 1975 to October 1980.