Sweden's first envoy to China was the minister in Tokyo, Japan, Gustaf Oscar Wallenberg.

From 1933, the holder of the consul general position also acted as the chargé d'affaires in the Republic of China.

[3] Johan Beck-Friis became Sweden's first resident envoy to China on 1 July 1937.

[4] In 1947, an agreement was reached between the Swedish and Nationalist governments on the mutual elevation of the respective countries' legations to embassies.

The diplomatic rank was thereafter changed to ambassador instead of envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary.