Based on daily NCEP reanalysis data, OLR and satellite rainfall data, the characteristic of theactivities of South China Sea summer monsoon(SCSSM) in 2004 were analyzed. The results showed that theestablishment of SCSSM was little later than normal and the intensity was stronger than normal. Influenced bythe location of the northwest Pacific subtropical high, which was much northward and westward than normal,SCSSM was active mainly in the South China Sea areas. There existed obvious intraseasonal oscillation and twosignificant periods of SCSSM, one was about 20-30 days and the other about 40-50 days. The transportation ofmoisture was concentrated on the South China Sea and the northwest Pacific regions, reducing the northwardtransportation and resulting in drought in southern China.