Wan Gang is China's minister of Science and Technology. From Shanghai, he is considered an automobile expert. He is the first minister in the last three decades who is not a Communist Party member. He is chairman of the China Zhi Gong Party, one of the eight minor parties in the country which follow the leadership of the CPC.
Wan graduated from Northeast Forestry University and conducted postgraduate studies in experimental mechanics at the Structural Theories Research Institute of Tongji University in Shanghai. He obtained his master's degree in 1981 and stayed at the university to teach mathematics and mechanics.
Wan went to Germany in 1985, where he was a visiting scholar and doctoral candidate in the mechanical engineering at Clausthal University of Technology, completing his PhD five years later.
In 1991, Wan started to work for Audi in Germany, where he was in charge of computer virtualization in the R&D department. In 1996, he was promoted to technical manager of the production and technology division, where he was in charge of informational manufacturing technology and management. He contributed to many innovations that assisted in the production of the Audi A4, which until recently was the car of choice for Chinese officials.
In 1994 and 1995, he was consecutively invited as guest professor and doctoral supervisor of Clausthal University of Technology and of Tongji University.
Born: August 1952
Birthplace: Shanghai, China
Country of Citizenship: China
Profession: Politician
Education: PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Clausthal University of Technology, Germany
Career:
2013 - Vice-Chairman, 12th CPPCC National Committee
2008 - 2013 Vice-Chairman, 11th CPPCC National Committee
2007 - Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology
2007 - Chairman, China Zhi Gong Party (Public Interest Party), Central Committee
2007 - Chairman, China Zhi Gong Party
2006 - Vice President, Association for Science and Technology of Shanghai
2004 - President, Tongji University
2002 - 2004 Assistant President, Tongji University