The incidence of prostate cancer in China is growing rapidly in recent years. The leapfrog development of prostate cancer research in China during the last 40 years has been witnessed by "Chinese Journal of Urology" and divided into three major periods. First, the beginning phase during 1980 to 2000, when the Chinese urology community began to establish a professional and standardized prostate cancer treatment system. Second, the catching-up phase during 2001 to 2010, when Chinese urologists actively promoted prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment technology, and integrated with international advanced diagnosis and treatment concept. Third, the characteristics creating phase during 2011 to 2020, when prostate cancer research in China developed rapidly, and the voice of China is constantly being heard on the international stage. Based on the current prostate cancer research in China, it is also necessary to strengthen evidence-based medicine research, to focus on precision medicine research, to pay attention to real-world research, and to emphasize the importance of differences between China and the western countries. At last, Chinese prostate cancer patients will benefit more.