This paper describes the current status and prospect of positron emission tomography(PET) in mainland of China. There are 22 PET centers (including those being set up) and 4 PET scanners till March of 2003 . FDG is provided by both 2 sets IBA 30 MeV cyclotrons and 17 house cyclotrons in PET centers. The following key aspects on the development of PET were discussed : PET examination cost has not been covered by the national health care system at present; numbers of PET should be increased limitedly

and its growth-up should keep balance with GDP(economic level); it is necessary to have cooperation between basic sciences (engineering

chemistry

computer science) and clinical medicine (radiology

nuclear medicine

radiotherapy

oncology); we should pay more attention to PET staff training; it is time to found the PET community as a subordinate unit of Chinese Nuclear Society or Chinese Society of Nuclear Medicine

China Medical Association.