This paper briefly introduced the history of the development of the atomic frequency standards in China with the emphasis on the recent achievements. Here includes the National Primary Time and Frequency Standards，developed and maintained at National Institute of Metrology: the cesium beam atomic frequency standard and the cold atomic fountain standards,which has reached the frequency accuracy of 3 X 10-15. The paper described the progress of the hydrogen clocks working both on active maser and passive modes. The situation of the development，the production and also the performances of the optically pumped rubidium clocks has been clarified. The paper indicated the good result of the long-term operation of the optically pumped cesium beam frequency standard in China. The advances of other frequency standards,such as the researches on the ion traps working on both microwave and optical frequency ranges,and the optical frequency measuring chain and optical clocks are also mentioned.