She graduated from Jilin University with a degree in economics, and went on to receive her doctorate and conduct research in the same field. Li is a member of the Chinese Communist Party. She was chairperson and party secretary of the National Population and Family Planning Commission (2008–2011).[1] She became vice- and acting governor of Anhui province in 2011, and was Governor of the province from February 2012 to March 2013. She is only the fourth woman to assume the Governorship of a provincial level division in China, following Gu Xiulian, Uyunqimg and Song Xiuyan.
After graduating from Jilin University, Li continued to work in Jilin province. During her thirty years working in the province, Li worked in a variety of roles, including as deputy governor. In August 2007, she became the deputy chairperson and party secretary of the National Population and Family Planning Commission. She was promoted to Chairperson in March 2008.[1]