In July 1968, during the Cultural Revolution,[6] Chen was born to a farming family in Sihong County in east China's Jiangsu Province,[1] where agricultural conditions were poor.
His brother and sister starved to death[citation needed], and, at the age of 10 years, Chen began supporting his family by selling water in the local village.
[1] Chen's first fortune was attained after graduating from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine in the 1990s, as he patented and sold his invention: a "low-radiation ear acupuncture point illness probing and curing apparatus".
His success with the 2003 project led to the establishment of Jiangsu Huangpu Renewable Resources Co. Ltd., Chen's privately owned recycling company that works with construction waste.
"[8] Following his unsuccessful New York Times bid, Chen expressed interest in the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge demolition project in January 2014, as two remaining contracts will be advertised in late 2014.
[2][4] Chen explained to The Wall Street Journal that he sought to purchase a globally influential media company and that his Times bid was an attempt to attain a deeper understanding of the way in which Americans perceive the Chinese.
[4] Chen was accompanied by a rescue team, consisting of over 100 colleagues, 60 excavators and hoists, that he had arranged,[7] and a June 2014 article in The Washington Post claimed that he slid cash to earthquake victims.
[12] The entire amount, including the wall structure, was donated to the poorest areas of the Guizhou, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces of China.
[6] Also in January 2011, Chen gave away envelopes of cash to people he identified as "in need" on the streets of Taiwan, during a week-long trip, in which he both sought and donated contributions.
A January 2013 article in The Guardian reported that Chen planned to give away 1.5 million yuan to young Chinese entrepreneurs during February of that year.
[4][14] In January 2014, Chen announced that he would fund reconstructive surgery for two female former Falun Gong practitioners who set fire to themselves in Tiannamen Square in 2001, as they believed that self-immolation ensured them a place in heaven.
Falung Gong supporters asserted that the 2001 incident was staged by the Chinese government, as the organization is opposed to self-harm,[13] and claim that it was a pro-Communist Party publicity stunt.
The procedures, to be undertaken in New York City, US, are expected to last over six months, and Chen stated that he would also cover the cost of all lodging and food during that time.
[22] According to Chen, the purpose of publishing the advertisement was to show the determination of Chinese entrepreneurs in defending China's sovereign rights.
Chen explained to the media: "If we don't act in the next 10 years, our descendants will have to carry oxygen tanks and wear masks all the time.
Chinese journalists reported the receipt of death threats, including photos of dead bodies sent by email, after investigative articles on Chen were published.
[25] According to the Fast Company publication, a Chinese government directive, issued on September 29, 2010, stated: "All newspapers are forbidden from reporting negative news about Chen Guangbiao.