In the context of ERBE,ISCCP data,measured and calculated radiation absorptions at ground level,computation and investigation are performed of the spatial and temporal distribution features of atmospheric absorption of shortwave radiation over China,along with their relations to the affecting factors.Results show that such absorption changes greatly as a function of latitude and altitude and is in pronounced correlation with astronomical radiation and vapor pressure as well,with some influence of total cloudiness only in East China.Finally,calculation is carried out of atmospheric absorptivity of solar radiation in China,indicating preliminarily that the magnitude attains 0.30 in East China,with the maximum of 0.35,much greater than the mean evaluation presented in the literature.