Abstract: Using the research methods of literature metrology, statistic and analysis of the world cotton research literatures from 1998 to 2013 collected by Web of Science were carried out based on the literatures’ country/region, research institutions, funding, source publications, et al. After quantitative and qualitative analysis of the literatures in the past 16 years, the result objectively revealed the world cotton research papers in the field of production, distribution and development trend. The literature review was conducted on the basis of comparative analysis between China and the United States, the authors explored the international standing of cotton research of China in order to hold the world cotton research development trends.