According to the official profile, Ma joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in 1987. Before his new position, he served as Ambassador of China to Australia between 2013 and 2016, and from 2011 to 2013, he was Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He held the post of Director-General of the Information Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between 2009 and 2011, and served in the Policy Research Department between 2004 and 2009.
He completed advanced studies at London School of Economics and Political Science in 1995, and holds a PhD degree.