The United States has sent diplomatic representatives to China since 1844, when Caleb Cushing, as commissioner, negotiated the Treaty of Wanghia.

Until 1898, China did not have a system in place for the Emperor to accept the Letters of Credence of foreign representatives.

The American legation in Nanjing was upgraded to an embassy in 1935 and the Envoy was promoted to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

However, in 1973, the United States established a Liaison Office in Beijing to represent its interests in mainland China.

The United States did not recognize the new government of the People's Republic of China upon its founding in October 1949.