Zhu Yayan graduated from Xiamen University. In May 1970, he worked at the Ministry of Chemical Industry. In 1984, he served as Party Secretary of the South China Chemical Engineering Company under the ministry. In 1986, he became Manager of the Xiamen Chemical Industry Company and concurrently served as Party Secretary of the Liheng Polyester Company. From late 1987 to 1990, he served as Vice Mayor of Xiamen City. In July 1990, he became Chairman and Party Secretary of Xiamen Airlines. In 1993, he was appointed as a member of the Standing Committee of the Xiamen Municipal CCP Committee [zh] and Executive Vice Mayor of Xiamen Municipal Government. In 1995, he was appointed Deputy Secretary of the CCP Xiamen Municipal Committee and Executive Vice Mayor of Xiamen Municipal Government.[1] In 1998, he was appointed Vice Governor of Fujian Province.[2] In February 2000, he was appointed mayor of Xiamen. In July 2002, he was transferred to serve as a member of the Standing Committee of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and Secretary of the Provincial Committee.[3] In January 2005, he was elected Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 10th People's Congress of Fujian Province.[4]