Abstract：In China，the issue of nuclear waste disposal was started in 1985，but without paying significant attention and therefore the progress has been quite limited. Recently，with the impressive economic boom in China，energy shortage has become a more and more serious problem. In this study，nuclear energy is considered as one of the alternative solutions. Obviously，the issue on nuclear waste disposal becomes important actuality. In this paper，the research state in China about the bentonite as engineered barrier material was first presented. As a whole，the selection of Gaomiaozhi(GMZ) bentonite as buffer material has been performed，and its physicochemical characteristics have been identified. No thermo-hydro-mechanical(THM) tests have been carried out yet. Considering that significant work has been performed over the world on other candidate bentonites，it seems to be of benefit to have an overview on the recent advances in order to better orientate the future research work on GMZ bentonite. The main aim is therefore to provide some helpful experience and perspectives for the study on geological disposal of nuclear waste in China. Firstly，the disposal method is presented by using bentonite-based engineered barrier. It corresponds to the widely accepted concept，and no further research seems to be needed on this question. Secondly，the selection criteria of bentonite，its geochemical properties，thermo-hydro-mechanical behaviors including the relationship between microstructure and macroscopic behaviour，as well as the joint behaviour and numerical analysis，influence of gas generation during radioactive waste disposal on the engineered barrier are introduced. Different examples are given to illustrate either the experimental principle or the main results obtained. As mentioned above，only the issue on bentonite selection has been dealt with in China；and other issues should be studied with energy. Finally，some recent achievements are summarized and some perspectives are given.
