Polypores are the group of macro-basidiomycetes with poroid hymenophore and corky basidiocarps that mainly grow on wood. China contains multiple climatic zones and geographic topographies, and thus possesses a variety of forest and vegetation types that provide rich habitats for polypores. Based on extensive collections conducted over a long period of time, a considerable knowledge of Chinese polypore species has been obtained, and this has been enriched further in recent years by using molecular technology. China possesses the highest polypore diversity in the world and 704 polypore species, belonging to 134 genera, 22 families and 11 orders, have been recorded within its borders. These 704 species are composed of cosmopolitan, boreal/temperate and tropical-subtropical elements. White-rot polypores are considered as potential industrial resources, while brown-rot polypores play an essential role in forest renewal