Utilizing data from a variety of secondary sources, the historical process and current situation of Chinese physician development is discussed. This has fluctuated along with the changes in the country's socio-economic circumstances and the shifts in its health manpower policies. The innovative policies about traditional medicine practitioners, middle-level trained physicians and village doctors have contributed to a relatively large supply of Chinese physicians in comparison to many developing countries. Faced with new challenges and opportunities, health personnel development in China must be carefully planned in order that such scarce health resources are used effectively.