Abstract:Based on the decreasing trend of rare earth reserves year by year in China, setting Baiyun'ebo deposit, ion adsorption deposit in seven provinces in southern China and Mianning deposit as examples, prsent condition of the development and utilization of rare earth resources in China, the lack of core technologies, insufficient development longitudinal directionin industrial chain and environmental damage have been analyzed. It is regarded that cultivation of professional talents should be enhanced, cooperation and exchange should be strengthenedm, management system should be improved and management responsibilities should be determined. Sustainable development and reasonable exploration of mineral resources should be carried out to protect the environment. The development direction of rare earth resources in China has been discussed as well.