This paper presents a comprehensive review of the occupational exposure limits (OELs) of chemical substances in China. It provides historical background on the development of OELs in this country, with a complete list of traditionally adopted and newly developed OELs for chemicals in workplaces. The philosophical thoughts, the administrative system, the scientific protocols for setting and amending health standards, with emphasis on making health a basic criterion for setting health standards, strengthening epidemiological studies of the human population, integrating epidemiological and toxicological studies, considering technological and economical feasibilities, and making full use of literature information sources are discussed. Further perspectives with respect to practical issues of maximum allowable concentration and time-weighted average, selection of safety factors, and establishment of biological exposure limits are also considered, with the authors' contributions to a discussion on these topics.