A critical review of the historical development of soil physical chenustry in China is made. The main points are summarized as follows: 1. Chemical studies of soils: Chemical studies of soil, which is considered as the initial stage of the developwent of soil physical chemistry in China, started in the early tlyirties of this century. They mainly dealt with the chemical composition and exchangeable cations in relation to the genesis and classification of soils. Some works on quick test have also been made. Only very limited number of workers have devoted to some physico-chemical properties of soils such as amphbteric behavior, phosphate fixation and effect of pH on the color of humus. It was on this weak foundation that soil physical chemistry has been developing since the establishment of the People's Republic. 2. Studies on soil colloid: In a series of papers by Dr. Hseung Yi and his coworkers, the mineralogibal composition of the colloidal fraction of a variety of soil types was studied by means of chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis. Some works on swelling and shrinkage, potentiometric titration curve, electrophoresis, and dispersion and flocculation of soil colloid have also been carried out.