[Objective]The study aimed to discuss the relationship between temperature variation in winter of China and arctic oscillation.[Method]By using the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data,AO index series and monthly temperature data from 160 stations of China,the variation characteristics of temperature in winter and AO index series as well as their relationship from 1951 to 2007 were studied.[Result]Temperature in winter of China correlated positively with AO index series.Both arctic oscillation and winter temperature in China had two major periods of 8 and 18 years.I WT and I AO series,which had obvious inter-annual and inter-decadal variations,presented the almost same rising trend and had close relationship on an inter-decadal scale.Compared with AO,the Siberia high had more distinguished influences on inter-annual variations of temperature in winter of China.AO might affect changes in the Siberian high and thereby influence temperature in winter of China.AO had a greater influence on temperature in winter of China than the Siberia high on an inter-decadal scale.When the East Asian through was weak,temperature in winter of China and AO index were low,while they were high as it was strong.The impact of AO index on an inter-decadal scale was more significant than the impact on an inter-annual scale.[Conclusion]The research could make the effects of AO on winter temperature of China clear.