Wang Chunfa was born in November 1963. He began to work in June 1988 and holds a bachelor’s degree in history, a master’s degree in economics and a doctor’s degree in economics. He is a Research Fellow by qualification. He is Director of the NMC (vice minister level). He also serves as Director of the NMC Academic Committee, Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of National Museum of China, and a member of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC.
From June 1988 to August 1990, he worked as a teaching assistant at the Beijing Administration Cadre College of China University of Geosciences. In August 1990, he was transferred to the Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), serving as Assistant Research Fellow and then Associate Research Fellow of the Research Division of World Economic History, Deputy Director of the Research Division of Developing Countries, Deputy Director (de facto director) of the Research Division of International Economic Relations, Director of the Research Division of Comprehensive Topics, and Director of the Research Division of Industrial Structure. In August 2000, he earned the qualification of Research Fellow. He was a visiting scholar to George Washington University in the United States between October 1998 and October 1999. In February 2003, he started to work as Scholar-Secretary of CASS Policy Research Office.
In May 2004, he became Director of the International Office of the Research Division of the General Office of NPC Standing Committee, and in November 2005, Deputy Director General of the Investigation, Research and Publicity Department (de facto director) of China Association for Science and Technology (CAST). In March 2007, he was promoted Director General of the CAST Investigation, Research and Publicity Department. In March 2011, he started to work as Secretary of CPC Committee and Director General of the CAST Investigation, Research and Publicity Department. In May 2011, he began to serve as member of the Leading Party Members Group, member of the Standing Committee, Secretary of the Secretariat, Secretary of CPC Committee and Director General of the CAST Investigation, Research and Publicity Department. In March 2014, he began to serve as member of the Leading Party Members Group, member of the Standing Committee, Secretary of the Secretariat and Secretary of CPC Committee of the CAST. In July 2015, he began to serve as member of the Leading Party Members Group, member of the Standing Committee and Secretary of the Secretariat of the CAST. During this period, between February and June of 2016, he served as the Deputy Chief of the Seventh Team of Disciplinary inspectors.
Since December 2017, he has been serving as the Director of the NMC.
He has long been engaged in science and technology management and researches on science and technology policies. His works include Policies on Technological Innovations: Theoretical Basis and Choice of Tools, National Innovation System and Growth Prospects for East Asian Economy, Historical Evolution and Development Trend of National Innovation Systems of Major Developed Countries, Facing Globalization of Science and Technology: China's Road to the Future, and Competitive Road of Science and Technology in the Context of Economic Globalization. Moreover, he took part in the writing of Looking into the Agricultural Modernization of Western Countries, Social Service System of US Agriculture: also on Agricultural Cooperative, etc., and published over 100 academic papers, including “FDI and the Cultivation of Endogenous Technological Capability”. He participated in drafting the Outline of the National Plan for Medium- and Long-Term Scientific and Technological Development (2006-2020). He promoted the establishment of the national investigation station system for conditions of personnel engaged in science and technology work, took charge in many investigation projects, and called for the collection of materials about the academic growth of senior scientists. He took the leading role in the composition of The Science and Technology Dream and the Chinese Dream: Album on the Themed Exhibition of Modern Chinese Scientists and multiple volumes of academic biographies of modern Chinese scientists. Furthermore, he translated a number of academic works, including Growth of International Economy: 1820-1990. He also served as Vice Chairperson of the Executive Council of the Chinese Association for Science of Science and S&T Policy, Vice President of the China Written Works Copyright Society, and member of the editorial board of journals including World Economics and Politics, Studies in Science of Science, Science of Science and Management of S. & T., Forum on Science and Technology in China and Global Science, Technology and Economy Outlook.