Zhaoyong began at Edith Cowan University as a visiting Professor in 2005. Prior to joining the university, he was a Professor of Economics & Finance at NUCB Graduate School of Commerce & Business in Nagoya, Japan, and Associate Professor at National University of Singapore (NUS).

He also held several visiting positions at universities in China, Japan, Korea, Macau, and South Australia. Zhaoyong was (Deputy) Director for the Centre for the Study of Transitional Economics (CSTE) at NUS, Director of Social Sciences Research Centre for Contemporary China (SSRCCC) at University of Macau, and Co-Director of FEMARC, School of Accounting, Finance & Economics, Edith Cowan University.