The development process of highspeed railway in China is introduced. The key roles of tunnel engineering are discussed. The main characteristics of highspeed railway in China are summarized as follows: 1) Nationwide distribution and complex geological environment. 2) Large effective area of tunnel crosssection clearance. 3) Support system of compound lining and opencut reinforced concrete structure. 4) Ballastless track. Meanwhile, the general situation of highspeed railway tunnels in operation, under construction and planning in China is systematically introduced. The development directions of highspeed railway tunnels in China are put forward as follows: 1) Optimum technical system. 2) Optimization of tunnel crosssection size and design parameters. 3) Mechanized construction. 4) Improvement of informatized management of tunnel construction.