Abstract: Over nearly 70 years of exploration the construction of China′s protected area system has undergone profound changes in protection policies, monitoring technologies, and socio-economic development approaches. This evolution reflects China′s growing commitment to ecological civilization and sustainable development, aligning with global conservation goals while addressing unique domestic challenges. The journey from isolated reserves to integrated systems mirrors the nation′s broader environmental governance transformation.Within the context of establishing a protected area system with national parks as the main body, it is crucial to study the research hotspots of protected area at different stages and their policy-related relationships, as well as, to anticipate future needs for the construction of China′s protected area. By examining historical shifts in academic focus—from species conservation in the early stages to landscape-scale management and community co-governance in recent decades—we can better understand how research has informed policy-making. Additionally, analyzing the interplay between international conservation trends and China′s localized strategies provides insights into the adaptive nature of its protected area governance.Through the analysis of keyword frequency in literature, this paper systematically reviews the evolution of construction objectives and policy practices of the protected area system from 1956 to 2024.The study revels that China′s protected areas have evolved from single protected area to modernized system characterized by multi-tiered collaborative governance. This transition has been marked by several landmark developments, including the 2019 institutional reform that consolidated management under the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, and the 2021 establishment of the first batch of national parks. These structural changes reflect an increasing recognition of ecological connectivity and the need for coordinated governance across administrative boundaries.Legislative improvement, technological empowerment and institutional innovation have become the core driving forces for upgrading the protected area system. However, there are still challenges, including insufficient application of new monitoring technologies, structural conflicts in cross-regional management, and delays in quantifying ecosystem service values. To address these issues, it is necessary to enhance biodiversity conservation and ecological barrier effects through the establishment of smart monitoring platforms, optimization of the division of central and local responsibilities, and quantification of ecosystem services valus. These efforts aim to achieve coordinated development of ecological protection and regional economics, providing a "Chinese model" for global governance of protected area.China′s experience—particularly its large-scale ecological restoration projects and innovative payment for ecosystem services schemes—offers valuable lessons for developing countries facing similar conservation and development dilemmas. As China moves toward its 2060 carbon neutrality goal, its protected area system will play an increasingly strategic role in climate mitigation and sustainable development, potentially reshaping global conservation paradigms.