Chen Zhili

Chen Zhili is Vice-Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Vice-President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and Mayor of the Beijing Olympic (Paralympic) Village.

Chen was born in Xianyou, Fujian Province, in 1942. Following her graduation from Fudan University in 1964, Chen obtained a Master's degree from the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Science in 1968. She spent many years doing research at the institute and became its leader later. She also carried out further study as a visiting scholar at the Materials Research Institute of Pennsylvania State University. Chen conducted research on ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials and elements, as well as their transformations for many years.

Prior to her recent appointments, Chen served as Secretary of the Science and Technology Sub-Committee of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, chief of the Publicity Department of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, Vice-Secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, Vice-Chairperson of the State Education Commission, and Minister of Education. Chen was appointed State Councilor in March 2003 and First Vice-President of BOCOG in January 2005.