In recent years, live pig and pork production and pork consumption have been undergoing dramatic changes in China. As the biggest pig and pork producing country in the world, all these changes will not only influence the pig and pork industry in China, but will also affect international feed and pork trading countries. An overview of the current status and challenges faced by China will help the world understand the past, present and future trends in the Chinese pig industry. This information may also enable countries and companies to adjust pork production policies to suit the future international market economy in pork. China has an abundance of labour but is running out of land and resources. There is a lower pork price but high cost for major agriculture products. As a pork powerhouse, China will influence all aspects of the world pig industry such as labour, feed ingredient trading, food processing, pork trading, live pig trading, equipment and technology transfer. More strict measures are required to limit small-scale operations to improve meat safety and international competition. China can be expected to continue its role as a pork powerhouse of the world. The present pattern of increases in productivity, lean yield and carcass weight will continue. Rather than becoming a new export market for existing pork producing countries, China will probably become a major international competitor in the pork export market.