Abstract: With climatological analyses and GCM numerical modelling experiments, an association is found between the anomalous July rainfall distribution in China and sea surface temperature anomalies for the south china sea. There is greater rainfall in the Changjiang River Valley and areas to the south of the Yellow River with positive anomalies than with negative anomalies. A reversed situation occurs for the south of China. The distribution is linked with the fact that the West Pacific Subtropical High advances westward and intensifies with positive SST anomalies while leaving eastward weakened with negative anomalies. SST in the south China sea affects systems to the west (Indian Monsoon) as well as those to the east (Subtropical High).