Cao was born in May 1957. He is the former Dean of the School of Art and Humanities. Now, he serves as the Deputy Director of the Academic Committee of CAA and the leader in developing artistic theory as a discipline.

Cao is an expert in art history with substantial academic influence in the world. He is the Organizer of the Discipline of Art within the Discipline Review Group of the State Council Academic Degrees Committee. He has made key contributions to the development of art as a discipline in China.