Li Zhijian completed his studies in Industrial Economics at the Department of Industrial Economics, Renmin University of China, in September 1961, and became a member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in October 1961. In September 1964, he assumed a teaching position in the Department of Industrial Economics at Renmin University.[2] From January 1971 until November 1984, he held positions as a reporter for Beijing Daily, deputy director of the Commerce and Industry Department, director of the Commentary Department, director of the Theory Department, and deputy editor-in-chief. In December 1984, he was named deputy director of the Publicity Department of the CCP Beijing Municipal Committee.[3] In March 1987, he was designated as the secretary of the CCP Daxing County Committee. In December 1987, he was appointed a member of the standing committee of the Beijing Municipal Committee and Secretary of the Daxing County Committee; in September 1988, he became a member of the standing committee of the CCP Beijing Municipal Committee and director of the Publicity Department.[4]
In April 2000, he assumed the role of secretary of the Party Group and deputy director of the General Administration of Sport of China.[5] In November 2005, he was appointed Chairman of the National Sports Federation, and on January 20, 2006, he became Honorary Chairman of the National Sports Federation. He served as a member of the Central Steering Committee for the Construction of Spiritual Civilization and as vice-chairman of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games.[6] In March 2008, he assumed the role of vice-chairman of the Education, Science, Culture and Health Committee of the Eleventh National People's Congress.[7]
He died at the age of 76 on March 29, 2016, at the Beijing Friendship Hospital.[8]