Abstract: We reviewed recent studies about detection and attribution of climate change in the globe and China, with focus on the detection and attribution of temperature, precipitation and major extreme events changes since 1950s. The detection and attribution of historical climate change at a longer time scale are not considered in the paper. The investigation shows that there are very quick advance in the international field of detection and attribution. Many studies cover the field from the detection and attribution of temperature at global scale to regional scale, and from temperature to multi-variables. However, in China, the relevant study is still at an initial stage. Although some studies explore the physical reasons behind the dry North China and wet South China since 1970s, the detection and attribution studies based on statistical inference methods are still very little and need to be strengthened. Many important issues, such as the reasons for regional climate change, the contribution from various factors and their difference with those at global scale, are needed to answer.

Key words: detection and attribution, climate change, global scale, regional scale