Over the last 30 years, Ma Kai participated in macro-sized decision-making concerning China's economic development and institutional reform.

During his service, Ma was always whole-heartedly devoted to his duties and dedicated himself in an utmost fashion. "I hope the difficult issues can be solved despite more grey hairs on my head," he wrote in a poem.

Viewed as a scholar-official, Ma has published a number of academic monographs. In the 1980s and 1990s, Ma participated in a series of important reforms for pricing systems.

Shortly after taking charge of the National Development and Reform Commission in 2003, Ma was challenged by signs of overheating in the Chinese economy. Based on the general deployment of the central government, the commision, in coordination with other departments, issued a package of policies, helping the Chinese economy enjoy a fast and steady growth in five years in a row.