The driving mechanism of climate change on drought and flood events is analyzed from the perspective of water circulation and water resources system. Related domestic and foreign research progress at present are summarized in the study of the impact of climate change on the weather systems,ground conditions,social-economic water demand as well as relevant evaluation methods. It can be concluded that climate change has lead to largescale atmospheric circulation anomalies,resulting in a wide range of persistent droughts and floods. Climate change can also increase the risk of droughts and floods through changing the ground conditions including land cover and soil characteristics. Meanwhile,an increase in social-economic water demand in the context of climate change will exacerbate the water shortage crisis.