Based on the daily precipitation data of 88 stations in East China during 1961—2010 the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of yearly,seasonal,and monthly rainfall and rainy days in East China are investigated by using statistical diagnostic methods such as trend analysis and abrupt change detection.Results show that the secular trend variation of yearly rainy days is contrary to that of yearly rainfall in East China.The yearly rainy days decrease(regional averaged climate trend rate is -2.3 d/(10 a)),while yearly rainfall increases in East China except in Shandong Province,showing that the intensity of yearly mean daily precipitation increases.The trend variation of seasonal rainy days is comparatively consistent with that of seasonal rainfall,especially in autumn.The negative trend variations of rainfall and rainy days in spring and autumn cover most of East China,but the negative trend variation of rainy days cover larger areas with greater intensity compared with rainfall.The trend variations of rainfall in East China except in Shandong Province in summer and winter are positive,especially in the Yangtze River Delta Region in summer and in Yangtze-Huaihe Rivers in winter.The trend variations of rainy days in East China in summer and winter are positive,except in Shandong and Fujian provinces.The largest reduction of yearly rainy days covers the middle and eastern Shandong province and the northern Fujian province,and the trend of rainy days in the two areas reduces with 3—5 d/(10 a).The abrupt change of yearly rainy days in Shandong Peninsula appears in the late 1970s.After that time,the yearly rainy days reduce clearly.