Mr. Cao was born in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province in September 1963 and joined the communist party of China in December 1984. From September 1981 to July 1986, he studied at the Department of Radio Electronics of Beijing Normal University and received dual bachelor degrees in Science and Education. From August 1986 to May 1992, he served as cadre and principal staff at the Cadres Bureau and the Division of Directly Affiliated Universities of the State Education Commission (later known as the Ministry of Education). From September 1990 to August 1991, he was appointed deputy director of the Education Commission of Qinglong County in Hebei Province(took a temporary post). From May 1992 to December 1995, Mr. Cao served as deputy director of the Cadres Office of the Division of Directly Affiliated Universities of the SEC. From December 1995 to December 1999, he served as associate investigator, investigator and then director of the Secretariat of the Division of General Affairs of the SEC. From December 1999 to January 2002, Mr. Cao was assistant director-general of the Division of General Affairs of the Ministry of Education. From December 1999 to September 2000, he also served as director of the Secretariat of the Division of General Affairs of the MOE. From January 2002 to July 2010, Mr. Cao served as deputy director-general of the Division of General Affairs of the MOE. In July 2010, Mr. Cao was appointed secretary of the party committee and deputy directer of the University Council of BJTU.