This paper reviewed the development course, research system, as well as technical methods of the researchers on soil environmental criteria in other countries, in combination with synthetical analysis of the status and development needs of the research on soil environmental criteria of China. A "three-step" strategy for development of soil environmental criteria of China was brought up, consisting of 1) to set up a theoretic and methodologic system that suited to the fundamental reality of the country and had a sufficient scientific basis of formulating soil environmental criteria; and to guide relevant personnel to unfold orderly researches on the criteria in light of soil types and their distribution, land use patterns, as well as characteristics of the population and indigenous species in China; 2) to launch a study on values to be suggested for soil environmental criteria for a group of typical pollutants based on the soils types typical of the country, to develop some key laboratories capable of supporting the nation in its development of soil environmental criteria, and gradually to build up and perfect a national fundamental data sharing and application platform for soil environmental criteria; and 3) to form a complete system for research of criteria, with a view to providing scientific support to the development of a soil quality standard system, the prevention and control of soil contamination risks, and the identification and assessment of damages of the soil environment, etc.