Abstract: Objective To understand the status quo of communicable disease surveillance system in China and provide evidence for its future development. Methods The development and performance of communicable disease surveillance system in China during the past years were analyzed, and the comparison between China's system and foreign countries' system was conducted. Results Communicable disease surveillance system is essential for the response of communicable disease epidemic, including patient surveillance, disease surveillance and pathogen surveillance. The communicable disease surveillance system in China was established in 1950's, which has played an important role in the prevention and control of communicable diseases. In recent years, great effort was made to improve the system, including increased investment for more equipments, but due to the rapid social development, the system faces more and more challenges, especially in its data transfer capacity. Conclusion Based on the problems in communicable disease surveillance, it is necessary to adjust the corresponding countermeasures of China's communicable disease surveillance system to ensure the collection of related information and improve the surveillance quality for the better prevention and control of communicable diseases.