| 2008—2013 | Member, 11th Standing Committee of the NPC | |
| 2004— | Director, National Natural Science Foundation of China | |
| 2003—2008 | Member, 10th Environmental and Resources Protection Committee of the NPC | |
| 2003—2008 | Member, 10th Standing Committee of the NPC | |
| 1997—2002 | Delegate, 15th CPC, National Congress | |
| 1995—2003 | Vice-President, Chinese Academy of Sciences | |
| 1992—1997 | Delegate, 14th CPC, National Congress | |
| 1991—1995 | Director, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Hydrobiology | |
| 1991— | Academician, Chinese Academy of Sciences | |
| 1989—1991 | Deputy Director, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Hydrobiology |