The actual research state of rock desertification in China is reviewed in this paper from the conception, driving factors, classification index and prevention countermeasure and so on. On the basis of the mechanism and characteristic of rock desertification, the connotation of rock desertification is amplified, and the following insufficiency of the rock desertification research at present and the research emphases are put forward: ① The concept and connotation of rock desertification should be enlarged; ② The rock desertification classification and evaluation, should be combined with the actualities and potential risk of rock desertification from factors leading to generating desertification in the handling process, and the quantification evaluation strengthened; ③ The soil erosion mechanism, erosion process and principle? of soil and water conservation are urgently needed to be researched in large scale, and the theory system is also needed to established for providing the gist to the rational programming and synthetic treatment for rock desertification areas.