 In May 1998 he was promoted to become the Vice-Chairman of Guizhou Planning Commission, a position he held until December 2001.In December 2001, he was appointed the Mayor of Liupanshui, concurrently holding the office of Deputy Party Secretary.He remained in that position until July 2005, when he was transferred to Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture and appointed the Party Secretary.