Chen was born in Wuxing, Zhejiang, China (modern Huzhou). In 1925, Chen formally joined Kuomintang (KMT) in San Francisco after receiving his master's degree in mining engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.[1] On January 9, 1926, Chiang Kai-shek hired Chen as his confidential secretary.[2] Chen was later promoted in 1927 to head the Investigation Section of the Organization Department of the KMT.[3] In 1938, Chen was again promoted, becoming the minister of education. Chen held this position until 1944.[4]
Chen Lifu was the younger brother of Chen Guofu. As a result of the two brothers significant influence in the KMT government, they formed a political faction known as the CC Clique.