The passively Q-switched and mode-locked(QML) characteristics in a diode-pumped Nd∶GdVO_4 laser with Cr~(4+)∶YAG saturable absorbers have been demonstrated. A maximum average output power of 710mW has been obtained in the QML laser. The maximum energy of a single Q-switched pulse is 52.5μJ, with the corresponding pulse width of 30ns and the peak power of 1.75kW, at the incident pump power of 7.75W. The repetition rates of the Q-switched envelope and the mode-locked laser pulse are 16.7kHz and 680MHz, respectively. The passively Q-switched and mode-locked (QML) characteristics in a diode-pumped Nd: GdVO 4 laser with Cr ~ (4+): YAG saturable absorbers have been demonstrated. A maximum average output power of 710  mW has been obtained in the QML laser. The maximum energy of a single Q-switched pulse is 52.5μJ, with the corresponding pulse width of 30ns and the peak power of 1.75kW, at the incident pump power of 7.75W. The repetition rates of the Q-switched envelope and the mode-locked laser pulses are 16.7 kHz and 680 MHz respectively.