Abstract: ObjectiveA visual knowledge map analysis on agricultural policy research in China was conducted based on the literatures from 1987 to 2016 in order to provide references for the related researchers to accurately grasp the re-search progress.MethodWith CAJ-N of CNKI as the data source,literatures on agricultural policy research of China during 1987-2016 were obtained.By using CitespaceⅢ,key words burst,key words co-occurrence,key words cluster-ing were analyzed,and the knowledge maps were drawn.Based on this,the agricultural policy research evolution and the research hotspots of China in the past 30 years were analyzed.ResultDuring 1987-2016,the research issues on agricul-tural policy of China were various in different historical periods,which were with characteristics of times.The evolution process could be divided into two stages:1980s-late 1990s and beginning of 21stcentrury-2016.The research hotspots in this field mainly focused on four aspects:financial support policy,agricultural modernization,rural financial policy and rural land policy.It was indicated that researches on land circulation policy,agricultural financial subsidy policy,agricul-tural supply side structural reform would be further studied in the future.SuggestionThe researchers should expand the scope of agricultural policy research,pay attention to correlation between agricultural policy and non-agricultural policy,and give full play of policy guiding to promote the development of agricultural economy in China.