The whole of China was selected as the study area in this study. Data of precipitation and temperature from 19602013 were used to analyze correlation between potential precipitation (saturation vapour pressure) and extreme precipitation with global warming. Change rate of saturated vapor pressure (beta) and change rate of extreme precipitation (alpha) were found to be 9.3%·$^circ {C^{ - 1}}$ and 6.4%·$^circ {C^{ - 1}}$ respectively. Variation rate of extreme precipitation was found to be close to theoretical value (about 7% · $^circ {C^{ - 1}}$). An exponential relationship was established between beta and mean temperature. Nine control groups were divided from 520 stations over China according to variations in annual temperature. Significant positive correlation between a and beta ($r = 0.63$) was established. The warmer group was found to have both higher a and beta . Large scale spatial variations in extreme precipitation could be explained by variations in saturated vapor pressure at different temperatures.