Dr Xia is the deputy general manager of the State Power Investment Corporation. He is also the vice chairman of the China Hydropower Engineering Society, vice director of the China Society of dam engineering and director of the International Hydropower Association.
Xia is the member of the Eleventh National Committee of the Chinese people’s Political Consultative Conference. Dr Xia was awarded the title of the national model worker and the outstanding entrepreneur in the national power industry. He also gained the National Labour Medal.