After the government of the Republic of China moved to Taiwan, Zheng led the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission, was the Minister of Justice, and served as Secretary-General to the President.

[1] Influenced by professor Huang Xisheng, Zheng left the study of math and chemistry, to focus on education instead.

Zheng formally declared his support of Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist government in 1930 and began work at the League of Nations.

Shortly thereafter, National Guangdong University Law School dean Guo Guanjie [zh] stepped down and Zou Lu offered the position to Zheng, who cited the events of the Fujian Rebellion as a reason he should continue working in government.

From Hong Kong, Zheng relocated to Wuhan, where he helped organize the Three People's Principles Youth League [zh] in 1938, which he served as secretary-general.

In April 1949, Zheng met with several senior members of the Kuomintang to discuss moving party leadership to Guangzhou.

In January 1950, Zheng, and leading Kuomintang figures Huang Shao-ku, Chen Lifu, Chiang Ching-kuo, and Ku Cheng-kang, among others, met at Sun Moon Lake to discuss party reform.

Zheng left the legislature in March 1952, and took office as the Minister of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission the next month.

[1] Upon learning of Zheng's death, President Lee Teng-hui and Premier Hau Pei-tsun released a joint statement.