[13] However, after Lin Tsung-hsien and Wu Tze-cheng joined the Executive Yuan, the Democratic Progressive Party named Chen Chin-te acting county magistrate.

[17] The Democratic Progressive Party formally nominated Chen Ou-po as its candidate for the Yilan County magistracy in March.

[33] During his first legislative term, Chen continually opposed the rising tolls charged for the use of freeways, remarking that the increases were especially harmful to his Yilan constituency.

[44][45][46] However, in his view, the government remains unable to develop adequate disaster response procedures and waste treatment measures.

[47] In April 2014, he and Lin Yi-hsiung protested the scheduled activation of the Longmen Nuclear Power Plant by beginning a hunger strike, during which Chen passed out, necessitating medical treatment.

[50] In August 2017, Chen stated that Taiwan should invest more in geothermal energy,[51] three years after hosting a public hearing on the topic.

[55] The next year, Chen chastised several government officials for their inaction as China announced a new air defense identification zone without notifying Taipei.

[56] Chen supported negotiations with Japan in the Senkaku Islands dispute to maintain Taiwanese fishing rights in the area.