The different specifications used by Chinese and European sock producers was the biggest challenge Chen faced.

In order to solve the problem, Chen walked around all the shopping malls in the country to learn how local producers designed their socks, how to package them and how many pairs of socks could be packaged together.

His business exploded and in the following years he sold hundreds of millions of pairs of socks in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.

Chen named his socks NAKE, which is pronounced similarly to his own name, "Naike". Based on his big success in socks, Chen also launched several clothing brands in Europe, earning himself fortune and fame.

However, in Chen's eyes, China was still the largest market in the world.

Therefore, in 2005, he decided to return to his hometown to establish new companies involved in real estate, mineral products, and foreign trade.

Over the past few years, Chen has given nearly 5,000 jobs to his fellow countrymen and donated 15 million yuan ($2 million) to charity. He also founded an education fund for impoverished university students and encouraged more overseas Chinese to take part in charitable activities.

Recently, Chen has been planning to erect a town in Lishui where visitors can admire European-style buildings and eat authentic European delicacies without going to European countries.

Moreover, he also expects to make the town a platform to attract more investment from overseas Chinese people.

"I am now more of a worker of overseas Chinese affairs than a businessmen. My job is to get more overseas Chinese to start businesses in China," said Chen.