Qian Qichen, male, Han nationality, is a native of Shanghai. He was born in 1928, joined the CPC in 1942 and studied at the Communist Youth League School of the Soviet Union.
Qian began his career as a member and secretary of various district CPC and CYLC committees in Shanghai. He studied in the Soviet Union and then served in different capacities at the Chinese Embassy in Moscow. When he returned to China in the early 1960s, he worked in the Ministry of Education. He returned to the Soviet Union in 1972 to serve as Councilor at the Chinese Embassy. He later became vice-minister and ultimately, minister, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Over the years, Qian served both officially and unofficially as a liaison between China and the Soviet Union. In 1993, he was named vice-premier of the State Council. He was reelected in 1998.
Qian was an alternate member of the 12th CPC Central Committee, member of the 12th, 13th , 14th and 15th CPC Central Committees and a member of the Politburo of the 14th and 15th CPC Central Committees.