Abstract: Based on the statistical data and stepwise regression method,this paper examines the temporal-spatial changes at the provincial level during 1986-2007,and analyzes the driving factors of arable land loss before/after the implementation of arable land protection in the mid-1990s.Conclusions are listed as the followings:(1) since 1986 China's arable land loss has been going on and worsened after 1999,and arable land per capita decreases linearly;(2)on the provincial level arable land in the East China decreased sharply and increased in the Middle and West China during 1980s,but after 1996 that decreased rapidly in the West China followed by Middle China and East China;(3) Stepwise regression results show that Urban population and population natural increasing rate are the driving factors influencing the loss of arable land during 1986-1996,gross value of secondary industry and national total households during 1996-2007,and gross value-added of rural enterprises,gross value of secondary i...