In the past 20 years, the technology of specialshaped boring machine has been greatly developed in China. Firstly, the development process and achievements of China′s specialshaped boring technology, from imitation to innovation, is systematically introduced by taking the research project in the field of specialshaped boring machine as main line. And then, the current situation of the development of China′s specialshaped boring technology is discussed from the aspects of the fullface boring technology, specialshaped segment assembling technology, measurement and control technology, construction technology, etc. By means of analyzing many construction cases, the application of rectangular pipe jacking machine, rectangular shield machine, horseshoeshaped shield machine and their special technologies in tunnel construction in China are introduced respectively. Finally, the limitations of the development of specialshaped boring machines are pointed out from the aspects of geological adaptability, construction efficiency and tunnel crosssection form; the further research direction is proposed; and some thoughts on the application of the future specialshaped boring machine in the new fields are put forward.