As a junior she participated at the 1995 and 1996 World Junior Speed Skating Championships. Huang Lili represented China at the 1997 World Single Distance Speed Skating Championships in the 500 metres event (finishing 19th) and 1000 metres event (finishing 24th). At the 1998 Asian Speed Skating Championships she participated in the 500m event and 1000m event. She also competed at other international competitions, including at ISU Speed Skating World Cups.