In this study,we analyze the characteristics of Chinese firms'internationalization process deeply and systemati- cally.The results reveal that the major motivations at the early stage of Chinese firms'internationalization are seeking re- sources and markets,and they are seeking strategic assets and efficiency at the late stage.The explanatory value of gradual internationalization process theory to market-seeking firm,resource-seeking firm,efficiency-seeking firm and strategic assets-seeking firm decreases gradually,the probability to take the leap-forward path of internationalization is growing gradually for these four-type multinational firms.The progressive internationalization process is supported basically in China from target location perspective.The process theory has the strongest explanation strength for the medium-sized multinational firms,while is weak for the big and small firms,which means that salutatory internationalization process is more possible for them than for medium-sized firms in China.Some implications of findings are also discussed finally.