[1] Chu became the top official of Inner Mongolia in August 2001, taking office as its party secretary, and took on a unique approach to policy.
During his tenure, Inner Mongolia's GDP increased at a much higher rate compared to the rest of the country.
Chu's obsession with GDP growth, however, cost some essential benefits for most of the region's poor.
In November 2009, Chu, having reached the customary retirement age of 65 for provincial level officials, left his post as party secretary of Inner Mongolia.
On December 26, 2009, Chu was named a deputy chair of the National People's Congress Financial and Economic Affairs Committee.