Ren was born in Zhenning County, Guizhou, China. His grandfather was from Jiangsu province and was a master chef who was an expert in curing ham in neighbouring Zhejiang province. His father, Ren Moxun (Chinese: 任摩逊; pinyin: Rén Móxùn), failed to complete university studies when his[clarification needed] grandfather died a year prior to his graduation.