Native of Xianyou county, Fujian Province. Ichthyologist and zoogeographer. Former Director and Professor of Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Aug 1964, graduated from the Department of Biology of Xiamen University.

In 1988, Senior Visiting Scholar in Natural History Museum.

In 1989, served as Professor at Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

1991-1995, served as Director of Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

1995-2003, served as Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

He is now the President of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Director of Academic Division of Biology in Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chairman of Chinese National Committee for the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP), Vice President of China Zoological Society, and Vice President of Chinese Society of Oceanology and Limnology. In addition, he was delegate to the 14th and 15th CPC National Congress, deputy to the 6th and 7th National People’s Congress, member of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People’s Congress, member of the Environment Protection and Resources Conservation Committee of the 10th National People's Congress.

Prof. Chen’s major is ichthyology and taxonomic zoology. He mainly engages in the research of taxonomy and phylogeny of freshwater fisheries. He is the academic leader in the research of freshwater and marine ecological system. He has published more than 90 papers and participated in editing and compiling more than 10 academic monographs and translated works. His Research on Phylogeny of the Cypriniformes together with nine other research achievements were awarded the National Natural Science Prizes and the State Science and Technology Advancement Award.