Based on ERBE and ISCCP data the annual contrast pattern of absorbed shortwaveradiation(ASWR)in the atmosphereearth system over China is explored in connection withanalysis of its relation to total cloudiness,planetary/surface albedoes,and surface ASWR,It isfound that the winter(summer)ASWR takes a forrn of being higher in value in the south thanin the north(being asymmetric saddle),roughly in an opposite correspondence to the planetaryalbedo distribution. Besides,the atmosphere-earth ASWR is negatively correlated to totalcloudiness,with higher correlation in the eastern part and the correlation in excess of 0.900between the two types of ASWR for all the stations under study,a result that makes it possible,to some extent,to obtain the surface ASWR from the air-earth analog through retrival in aclimatological context.