Wang Lequan was born in Shouguang, Shandong in December 1944. He joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1966. He was a post-graduate at the Central Party School of the CCP Central Committee. From 1982 to 1986, he held the position of deputy secretary of the Shandong Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League. In 1986, he became deputy secretary of the Liaocheng Prefecture Committee of Shandong Province. In 1988, he ascended to the role of secretary of the Liaocheng Prefecture Committee. In 1989, he was elevated to deputy governor of the Shandong Provincial People's Government [zh].[1][2]
Xinjiang
Wang was the Secretary of the CCP Xinjiang Committee from 1994 until 2010.[3] As Secretary, he was responsible for implementing modernization programs in Xinjiang. He encouraged industrialization, development of commerce, and investments in roads and railways. He furthered the development of the oil and gas fields in the region, link-up of pipelines from Kazakhstan to eastern China.[1][4]
Wang was a member of the 16th and the 17th Politburos of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. He is known for his hardline approach to ethnic minorities. He acquired the nickname "the stability secretary" for his ability to enter into a chaotic situation and bring it to order.[5]