Tang was born in Honghu, Hubei Province. He attended the Huazhong Technology University, where he specialized in solid-state electronics. After graduating in 1983, he was sent to work for a research institute under the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications. In 1985, he returned to Wuhan to become a technician at a local research institute. In 1987, he joined the inaugural staff of the East Lake Development Area in Wuhan. He spent much of the next two decades working in the Wuhan high-tech sector, in charge of innovation and administration. In 2002, he obtained a doctorate in economics, specializing in western economics.
In June 2007, Tang moved into politics, becoming the mayor of Xiangfan. In February 2008, he was named party chief of Xiangfan. In February 2011, he was named mayor of Wuhan.[2] His advocacy for major construction development during his time as mayor of Wuhan earned him the nickname "Mr. Dig Dig."[3]
In December 2014, Tang left his home province and was named mayor of Chengdu.[4] In July 2016, Tang took over the post of Chengdu party chief from Huang Xinchu.[5]
