| 1900 | Merck initiated its business in China through distributing high-purity reagents via the ports of Shanghai, Guangzhou and Tianjin |
| 1935 | E. Merck Co., Ltd. established in Shanghai, supplying a range of pharmaceutical and chemical products |
| 1953 | Agency agreements with Jebsen & Co., Ltd. (HongKong) for selling Merck products in China |
| 1994 | Merck delegates arrived in China |
| 1995 | Merck representative office established in Beijing |
| 1996 | Merck representative office established in Shanghai |
| 1997 | Merck representative office established in Guangzhou |
| 04/1997 | Merck (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd (MESC) was established in Shanghai Wai Gao Qiao Free Trade Zone |
| 08/1998 | Merck Pigments & Cosmetics Application Laboratory was established at Fudan University, Shanghai |
| 01/2005 | Opening of Merck Sourcing Office, China |
| 08/2006 | Opening of Chemicals Technology Office, China |
| 09/2007 | Opening of Merck Chemicals (Shanghai) Co., Ltd Song-Jiang Site. Since then, Merck Chemicals has got a comprehensive processing site with functions of processing, storage, research and development in China. |