Zheng Shekui was born in May 1939 in Linfen, Shanxi. He graduated from the agronomy program at Shanxi Agricultural College (now Shanxi Agricultural University). He joined the Chinese Communist Party in October 1960 and began his career in September 1963.[2]
Zheng initially worked in agricultural and administrative roles, including as an official in the Agriculture and Forestry Office of the Shanxi Provincial People's Committee, and later as a secretary in the General Office of the Shanxi Provincial Government. During the Cultural Revolution period, he participated in cadre training programs and served in regional revolutionary committee offices in northern Shanxi.[3]
From the 1970s onward, Zheng held a series of positions in local and provincial party organizations, including deputy director of the Cadre Office of the Linfen Prefectural Committee and deputy head of the Organization Department. He was transferred to the Organization Department of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, where he rose to become deputy head in 1984 and head in 1989. In March 1991, he was appointed a member of the Standing Committee of the Shanxi Provincial Committee while continuing to serve as head of the Organization Department.[4]
In January 1995, Zheng became Deputy Party Secretary of Shanxi. In January 2000, he was appointed Vice Chairman and Party Secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, taking charge of its daily work. He was promoted to chairman in February 2001 and served until January 2003. Zheng was a delegate to the 15th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party and served as a deputy to the 8th National People's Congress.[1]