Zhao Peng was born in Hongze, Huai'an, Jiangsu, in August 1955. He joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in June 1985 and began his career in October 1973. He studied Chinese language and literature at Nanjing Normal University through a self-study program, earning a college diploma, and later completed graduate-level courses in political economics at the Jiangsu Provincial Party School and Southeast University.[2]
Zhao began his career as a teacher and administrative staff in Hongze County and later served in various capacities within the Communist Youth League and the municipal government of Huaiyin. He gradually rose through the ranks to become CCP Deputy Committee Secretary and acting county head, county head, and then CCP Committee Secretary of Xuyi County.[3] He subsequently held several key positions in Yancheng, including deputy CCP secretary, acting mayor, mayor, and CCP secretary, before joining the Jiangsu Provincial People's Congress as Vice Chairman and CCP committee member.[4][5]
Throughout his career, Zhao has also participated in advanced training programs in urban planning and governance, including a program at Stanford University in the United States. He was a delegate at the 17th and 18th National Congresses of the CCP, served on multiple provincial and municipal party committees.[2][6]