Before 1949, China participated in the Olympic Games in 1932, 1936 and 1948, but failed to win any medals.

After 1949, the former All-China Sports Association was reorganized to become the All-China Federation of Sports (Chinese Olympic Committee) to promote the Olympic games and the ideals they embody within the boundaries of China. The present chairman of the committee is Wu Shaozu.

On October 25, 1979, the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee held a meeting in Nagoya, Japan at which China resumed its legitimate membership on the International Olympic Committee.

He Zhenliang was elected a member of the International Olympic Committee in 1981, a member of the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee in 1985 and vice-chairman of the International Olympic Committee in 1989. These events showed that cooperation between China and the International Olympic Committee had entered a new stage.

In 1984, a Chinese sports delegation composed of 353 members participated in the 23rd Olympic Games, held in Los Angeles. Chinese athletes won 15 gold , 8 silver and 9 bronze medals in the 16 events they participated in. It was the first time for China to win gold medals in the Olympic Games, and the country ranked fourth in the number of gold medals. At the 25th and 26th Olympic Games, Chinese athletes won 16 gold medals each time, ranking the fourth.

Great efforts have been made by the Chinese government to promote international sports exchanges. At present, some 30,000 Chinese participate in more than 2,000 international competitions and exchanges each year. At the same time, China has successfully held the 11th Asian Games, 3rd Asian Winter Games, 1st East Asian Games, 6th Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled and other international sports competitions. Besides, China has provided active support to the member countries of the International Olympic Committee. More than 50 stadiums and gymnasiums have been built by China for more than 30 countries and regions. In 1999, China applied to the International Olympic Committee to hold the 2008 Olympic Games.

In February 2000, the Beijing Commission for Bidding for the 2008 Olympic Games held its second plenary session in the Chinese capital. The session decided on the emblem and slogan for the commission. The emblem was jointly created by leading artists Chen Shaohua, Han Meilin and Jin Daiqiang, and the slogan is "New Beijing, Great Olympics."