Abstract: In order to explore the development and evolution characteristics of China's strategic environmental assessment (SEA) research in the past 20 years, the literature collected by Web of Science (WoS) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases in the past 20 years were taken as the research object. Using CiteSpace literature analysis tools, knowledge maps were created, and the research strengths, evolution characteristics, and other information concerning SEA were compared at home and abroad. Based on the foreign and domestic experience and empirical findings from cluster analysis, the research hotspots of SEA were analyzed. The prospect and assumption of SEA management were put forward based on comparing research results of SEA in foreign countries. In comparison with the main research areas of SEA at home and abroad, SEA was commonly recognized as a tool for participation in global environmental governance. It can be used to predict and evaluate complex dynamic giant systems, optimize land development patterns and ensure ecological security, and provide a platform for multi-stakeholder negotiation, consultation and decision-making. In spite of the remarkable and innovative research results of major regional SEA practices and eco-environmental zoning management in China in recent years, there were still some problems, such as insufficient publications and international collaboration. In order to enhance the prevention effect of SEA, on the one hand, it was necessary to actively integrate it into the ecological civilization construction, summarize the practical achievements of SEA systematically, continuously improve macro theory and methods suitable for China's situations by using a practice-theory-repractice approach, and to communicate research results worldwide. On the other hand, there is a need to continuously inject new vitality into research, accelerate the development of a multidisciplinary and multi-field expert pool, integrate various technical resources, and unite technical forces from all sides to provide countermeasures for improving "green content" in policies, strategies and planning.