 In June 1993 he was promoted to become the Vice-Party Secretary of Hengyang, a position he held until August 1999.From November 1996 to August 1999, he was elected as the Mayor of Hengyang; he ascended to a prefecture-level position at age 42.Chen served as the Vice-Party Secretary of Jingdezhen and Mayor of Jingdezhen between August 1999 to June 2001.