Chen Mingshan, male, Han nationality, is a native of Xiaoshan, Zhejiang Province. He was born in 1916. After studying at a technical institute in Shanghai, he started as a drugstore manager and later became general manager of a pharmaceutical factory in Shanghai.
In 1952, he joined the China Democratic National Construction Association, and over a period of years held various positions in that party at both the local and national level, ending up as honorary vice-chairman of the 7th China Democratic National Construction Association Central Committee. Chen was also active in the CPPCC as a member of the 5th, 6th, and 7th CPPCC National Committees and a member of the standing committee of the last two.