This paper makes a study of the distribution of the potential agricultural productivity of China with the help of geographical information system (GIS).On the basis of the researches of others, the writer chooses appropriate mathematical model and parameters, collects meteorological data of 30 years (1951-1980) and distribution data of physical and chemical characterastics and nutritions conditions of zonal soils (or large-area soils) of China, creates a data base, calculates the potential agricultural productivity of China, and draws a series of maps. The work is with the help of ARC/INFO system, a software of GIS.This paper analyses all the factors influencing potential agricultural productivity. They are sunlight, temperature, water condition and soil condition. The soil condition is analysed by a new method that uses eight factors, namely, soil texture, pH value, nitrogen content, phosphorus content, potassium content, organic matter content, soil erosion status and soil alkalinity status, classifying each of them and giving every class a mark so as to know the soil condition of a region and to calculate its soil availability coefficient.This paper also devides the potential agricultural productivity of China into 9 classes and describes their distribution.