With the application of great effort, much progress has been made to date in each specialty of neurosurgery in mainland China. In this article, we briefly review the present status of neurosurgery in China. The components and function of the Chinese Neurosurgical Society, the national organization for neurosurgery in China, are discussed. Neurosurgeons' acceptance of the concept of minimally invasive procedures has marked the start of an era of minimally invasive neurosurgery in China. Progress is evident in clinics, basic research, infrastructure, resident training, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Some weaknesses that need improvement are also mentioned. The current program offers a good basic foundation for development to meet future demands.