Ling Jihua was born in October 1956, a native of Shanxi province, Pinglu county. He joined the CPC in June 1976. He started to work in December 1973. He graduated from Hunan University business management Department, with a postgraduate degree. He was an alternate member of the16th CPC Central Committee.
From 2007 to 2012, Ling Jihua was served as director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee. He was a member of the 17th CPC Central Committee and a Member of the Secretariat of the 17th CPC Central Committee and Deputy Director of Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee.
From 2012 to 2014 he was Head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee. He is also vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee and a member of the 18th CPC Central Committee.
In July of 2015 Ling was expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and removed from public office for corruption.