Xiangyang LI received his Bachelor's Degree in Economics from the Central University of Finance and Economics and his PhD in Economics from CASS. He worked at the Institute of World Economy and Politics of CASS from 1988 to 2009, and was transferred to the National Institute of International Strategy of CASS in 2009, with his research focused on international economics.

LI won the "Second Prize of the First Youth Outstanding Scientific Research Achievements Paper of CASS" in 1992, and won the title of "Outstanding Young Scholar of CASS" in 1993 and the "First Excellent Scientific Research Achievement Paper of CASS" in 1994, and the title of "Middle-aged and Young Expert with Excellent Contributions of CASS" in 1996. He received government allowance from the State Council in 1998. In 2002, he won the "Third Prize of the Fourth Outstanding Scientific Research Papers of CASS", and the "Second Prize of the Sixth Outstanding Scientific Research Papers of CASS" in 2007, and was selected for the "Group of Four" Project of the Publicity Department of the CCCPC in 2009.

LI has published a number of important research reports including Belt and Road: Orientations, Content and Challenges, Diversified Cooperation Mechanism for the Maritime Silk Road Project, Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: A Major Challenge to China's Rise, Prospects of the World's Economic Center of Gravity Moving Eastward, Global Climate Change Rules and Their Impact on the World Economy, Strategy of Small Countries in the Regional Economic Cooperation, Implementation Mechanisms of International Economic Rules, Formulating Mechanisms of International Economic Rules, and New Regionalism and Strategies of the Great Powers, and he has also published many books including Corporate Reputation, Corporate Behavior and Market Mechanism and Market Failures and Government Intervention.