Sulfate aerosol is of great importance to the energy balance and global climate change of the earth system. Based on SO_2 emission inventory of China in 2007,this study presents both seasonal and spatial distributions of direct radiative effect (DRE) of sulfate aerosols in China using CanMETOP, OPAC and SBDART models. The DRE of sulfate aerosols in China varied between -9.1 ~ 0.0008 W·m~(-2) with the average DRE of -1.372 W·m~(-2) in 2007,which was much larger than that in the world (annual average DRE: -0.35 W·m~(-2)). The largest DRE of sulfate aerosols (-5.017 W·m~(-2)) was found in eastern China,and the lowest DRE of -0.22 W·m~(-2) was observed northwestern China. The spatial distribution of DRE of sulfate aerosols in China was mainly affected by spatial variation in SO_2 emissions and eastward overflow effect due to west wind. The most intensive DRE was observed in summer in most of regions in China,except South China while the least DRE was found in winter. Possible reason could be due to the seasonal difference of oxidation rates and relative humidity. The results had important implications for evaluating the distribution of sulfate aerosols and its potential effect to climate change.