Li was born in
Tianmen, Hubei, with his
ancestral home in
Nanyang. In July 1983 he graduated from
Southwest Petroleum University, majoring in geophysical prospecting. He earned his master of management degree from
China University of Petroleum in December 2002. After graduating from Southwest Petroleum University, he was assigned to the Ministry of Petroleum Industry of the People's Republic of China as an officer, he worked there until March 1987. Beginning in 1987, he served in several posts in
China National Petroleum Corporation, including deputy director, secretary, and general manager. In 1988, while Li was sent to work in the United States, he escorted Zhou Bin (), son of
Zhou Yongkang, to study in the United States. In July 2013, Li was promoted to become the deputy general manager of China National Petroleum Corporation and
PetroChina Company Limited, he also served as the board chairman of Kunlun Energy Company Limited (). When he was the board chairman of Kunlun Energy Company Limited, he used his powers made hundreds of millions of RMB. ==Downfall==