Ma Kai, a native of Jinshan, Shanghai, was born in June 1946. He joined the CPC in 1965.

Presently, Ma is the minister in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission.

After graduating from the Department of Political Economics of Renmin University of China, he started his career as a teacher in the Beijing No. 4 Middle School. In later years, he took the following posts: teacher of the Party School of CPC Xicheng District Committee, researcher of the Price Research Center of the State Council, deputy head of the Xicheng District of Beijing, deputy director of the Economic Restructuring Office of Beijing, director of the Beijing Pricing Bureau, and deputy director of the National Pricing Bureau.

From June 1993 to 1995, Ma worked in the National Economic Restructuring Committee as deputy director. In April 1994, he was elected as the deputy head of the China Youth Academy. From 1995 to March 1998, he was the deputy director of the National Planning Commission. In September 1997, he was elected as a member of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC. From 1998 to May 2003, he worked in the State Council as deputy secretary-general. In April 1998, he was appointed as the deputy chief commander of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters and the deputy director of the National Afforestation Committee. In June 1998, he was appointed as the vice team leader of the 5th National Census Leading Group of the State Council.

Since March 2003, he has been in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission.

Ma was a member of the 16th CPC Central Committee.