Chen Xiaolu was born in Shandong in July 1946. Before the Cultural Revolution, he was a high school graduate of Beijing No. 8 Middle School in 1966.

He joined the Communist Party of China in 1969 and later served as director of the Political Department of the 244th Regiment of the 39th Army of the People's Liberation Army.

He is currently an independent director of Boshi Fund Management Co., Ltd. and Jiangxi Changyun Co., Ltd.