Chen was born in Nantong, Jiangsu. In March 1950, he entered PLA's Northeast University of Military and Politics and served in the army. In 1952, he enrolled at the industrial economics department of Renmin University of China, and later at engineering economics department at Harbin Institute of Technology.
He was elected governor of Jiangsu in April 1989. He became the secretary of CCP Jiangsu committee in September 1993.[citation needed]
His major works include "Practices and Thoughts on Jiangsu's Modern Construction", "Introduction to Jiangsu by Chen Huanyou" and "Ten-year Exploration in Jiangsu's Modern Construction".[citation needed]