In 1959, following his high school graduation, he dedicated one year to the Preparatory Department of the Beijing Foreign Languages College to prepare for his studies in the Soviet Union.

[4][7] Beginning in 1965, Chen was employed at the Second Research Institute of the 7th Ministry of Machinery and the Academy of Military Science of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

[4][8][9] By 1983, he had become the deputy secretary of the Fengtai District Committee of Beijing Municipality,[7] subsequently serving as vice mayor the following year, before his appointment as vice minister of the Film and Television Bureau in 1987,[10] and member of the 9th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee.

[11][12] Apart from his political involvement, Chen used to be researcher at the People's Liberation Army Academy of Military Sciences.

[1] He now serves in the Global Executive Committee and as Asia-Pacific President of the United Cities and Local Governments.