Xiang Huaicheng, male, Han nationality, was born in 1939 and is a native of Wujiang, Jiangsu Province. He graduated from Shandong University in 1960 and then embarked on a long career in the finance ministry, becoming vice-minister from 1986 to1994. At the same time, he became involved in the Three Gorges Project and in welfare projects under the State Council.
Xiang served as deputy director of the state taxation administration from 1994 to1998 and was appointed finance minister in March 1998.
Xiang joined the CPC in 1983 and was elected a member of the 15th CPC Central Committee in 1997.