In a review on the development of environmental flow management in China, the status quo is introduced, the management framework is presented and the shortcomings are revealed. To address these deficiencies, the concept, origin and development of adaptive management are introduced. With Sabie River in South Africa as a reference, a framework for China’s adaptive management of environmental flow is worked out. It’s concluded that the adaptive management of environmental flow is essential to maintain the integrity of rivers and aquatic biodiversity, and is  more suitable for environmental flow management in China.