Dr Fan used to work in the Department of Higher Education, Department of Post-graduate, the Ministry of Education, and then the Graduate and Degree Office of State Council.

Dr Fan successively held positions as Deputy Director-General, Director-General, Department Chief, Vice-Chancellor of Shanghai Jiaotong University, and the Vice-Director of ‘National 211 Project’ General Office.

Dr Fan took up the position of Deputy Director General of China National Education Development and Research Center from January 1999. He participated in designing and delivering Sino-UK Higher Education Cooperation Project, as a team leader of Chinese expert team on Sino-UK Higher Education Governance Policy.

Dr Fan participated in the "UK HE system through China's eyes" invite only session.