By using the monthly precipitation and temperature data of 160 stations over China and monthly NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data,the spatial-temporal characteristics of the 500 hPa height anomaly in winter over Europe and its relation with winter climate in China are studied by means of EOF (Empirical Orthogonal Function) analysis,etc. The results show that the first mode (EOF1) mainly reflects the spatial characteristic of the East European Trough (EET) and the West European Ridge (WER). Based on the EOF1 time coefficient,this paper defines two types of EOF1 mode: the strong EET and WER pattern; the weak EET and WER pattern. There are significant positive correlations between the EOF1 time coefficient and winter precipitation (temperature) in central eastern China from 40 °N to South China (Northeast China,the central eastern Nei Mongolia, the lower reaches of Yangtze River Basin). In the strong WER and EET years,the 500 hPa height anomaly is (not) beneficial to intrusions of the cold air from mid-high latitudes of Europe to southern (northern) China, the 850 hPa wind anomaly is benefit to water vapor transport from the Bay of Bengal to South China (from Northwest Pacific to eastern and northern China). In addition, the high system over Eurasian high latitudes,the sea level pressure over Northwest Pacific,and East Asian winter monsoon tend to decrease,and vice versa.