Members of the association included representatives of the large China Houses such as Swire & Sons; Jardine, Matheson & Co; Paton & Baldwins and Shell Petroleum, in addition to Members of Parliament and retired consular and military officials returned from service in the Far East.
A proposal for the formation of a 'China Association' was made at an inaugural dinner held for 'gentlemen with some connection to the Far East', at the Thatched House Club in London, on 4 March 1889.
Between 1892 and 1893, invitations were sent out to British residents in Hong Kong, China and Japan to form branch associations.
By 1895, membership stood at over 400 and its General Committee was seen as the recognised representative of British commercial interests in China.
Against the background of growing fear of commercial competition from Russia, France and Japan, certain members of the General Committee and Shanghai Committee felt that the association's influence with the Foreign Office was exaggerated, and that the Government was failing to effectively represent British mercantile interests in China.
It holds quarterly lunches with a prominent guest speaker to share his thoughts, insight and wisdom on China.