Gao Dezhan, male, Han nationality, is a native of Qixia, Shandong Province. He joined the CPC in 1950. He graduated from the Chemical Industry Department of Dalian Engineering Institute in 1954. He holds the title of Senior Engineer.
Gao entered the workforce in 1954, becoming an engineer and the director of the technical office of the China Sugar Refinery. In the1960s, Gao began working for the Jilin Province government and held several responsible positions. In 1985, he became the Vice-Governor for Jilin Province. He was later governor of the province.
From 1987 to 1993, Gao served as minister at the Ministry of Forestry. In 1993, he became the secretary of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee. Gao won a special gold prize for Chinese greening science and technology in 1993.
Gao was a member of the standing committee of the 9th NPC. At the 9th NPC, he was also chairman of the agriculture and rural affairs Committee. He was an alternate member of the 12th and 13th CPC Central Committees and a member of the 14th CPC Central Committee.