行政院經濟建設委員會
Following the death of President Chiang Ching-kuo in 1988, Chien was recalled to Taipei and appointed by President Lee Teng-hui as the Chairman of the Council for Economic Planning and Development. During his tenure, he served concurrently as a Minister without Portfolio of the Executive Yuan, also known as Minister of State. In 1988, Chien was elected as a member of the Kuomintang Central Standing Committee at the 13th National Congress serving in the role until 1998.