Zhao Leji, male, Han nationality, is a native of Xining, Qinghai Province. He was born in 1957, joined the party in 1975 and attended Beijing University.
Zhao spent three years in education at the Qianhai Provincial Commerce School. He then served in various party and governing roles in Qinghai Province, becoming vice-governor in 1994. He served as governor of Qinhai Province from 2002-2003 and Secretary of CPC Qinghai Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Qinghai Provincial People's Congress from 2003-2007.
Zhao was a member of the 16th and 17th CPC Central Committees. He served as Director of the Shaanxi Provincial People's Congress and Secretary of CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee.
In 2012, he became a member of the Politburo of the 18th CPC Central Committee and Head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee.
In 2017 he was named as a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the 19th CPC Central Committee.