Ling Jihua
Chen was born and raised in Pinglu County, Shanxi province. Two of his later collaborators Ling Jihua and Ling Zhengce were from the same county in Shanxi. After the resumption of university entrance examination, Chen entered Shenyang University in September 1979, studying at the department of mechanics, where he graduated in August 1982. Chen also earned a Master of Science degree from Xi'an Jiaotong University in November 2006.