Chen was catapulted to prominence in 2017 in the aftermath of the ouster of Chongqing party secretary Sun Zhengcai, a move that made him well-positioned for further elevation.

[2] From 1987 to 1989, he served as the head of the propaganda department, as well as a member of the Shaoxing County Party Standing Committee.

Due to the Communist Party's rigid age-based promotion system, it led to speculation that Chen may be destined for higher office.

Chen also led an initiative to set up formal discussions (yuetan) over alleged wrongdoing by officials in the province, personally taking charge of the most serious cases.

Chen set up over 1,400 working committees in neighbourhoods and rural areas in the province to oversee complaints over routine government services.

[6] In July 2017, Chen was appointed as the Communist Party Secretary of Chongqing municipality, replacing Sun Zhengcai.

[1][3] Chen has been portrayed by overseas media as an associate of CCP leader Xi Jinping, and has been named as part of the "New Zhijiang Army".