Born in April 1963 in Changning, Hunan province, ZHONG received his Bachelor’s degree from China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), MSc and PhD from the Institute of Geology, CAS. He has 10 years of research experience working on stable isotope geochemistry at the Institute of Geology, CAS, with 30 peer-reviewed publications. He has 3 years of managerial experience in the human resource department at the Institute of Geology, CAS, and 11 years experience working in the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong S.A.R.
ZHONG now serves as deputy secretary-general of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, CAS, in charge of administrative operation affairs.