NPP is calculated to characterize vegetation activity as well as improve our understanding of terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycle. In this study, we estimated a time series of NPP and the spatial and temporal variations from 1982 to 2012 in China. Subsequently, the correlations between the NPP and climate factors (temperature and precipitation) were evaluated to show the responses of vegetation NPP to climate changes. The results showed that NPP in China decreased from southeast to northwest due to the spatial variability of vegetation types and climate characteristics. Annual NPP had a fluctuating increase tendency during our study period with values ranging from 1.92 to 2.73 PgC•a^-1, with an annual increase of 0.02 PgC•a^-2. In addition, NPP in north China correlates positively with precipitation and negatively correlates with temperature, this is owing to the fact that this region is relatively dry and increasing precipitation extends the growing season of vegetation. In south China the results were the opposite.