Abstract: CO₂ and CH₄ are key greenhouse gases regulated by the Kyoto Protocol. Comparable atmospheric CO₂ and CH₄ concentrations at Waliguan GAW global station (36.17°N, 100.55°E, 3816 m) in western China are validated by long-term observations since 1990 to that of other background stations in the world. The observational data from the GAW stations are widely referenced by the WMO Greenhouse Gases Bulletin and relevant scientific reports. In the period of July 2006 to June 2007, preliminary data from grab air sampling at the 4 GAW regional stations in China show higher atmospheric CO₂ and CH₄ concentrations at Shangdianzi (40°39′N, 117°07′E, 293.9 m), Lin' an (30°18′N, 119°44′E, 138 m), Longfengshan (44°44′N, 127°36′E, 310 m) and Jinsha (29°38′N, 114°12′E, 750 m) comparing to observed values at Waliguan. Spatial and temporal variations of greenhouse gas concentrations are resulted from nature and human activities in different regions. It is inferred that nature and human activities have relatively distinct influence on the regional background atmosphere.In the past decades, there are kinds of long-term or short period observations and research in China and they are globally conducted by different agencies. However, spatial and temporal distributions of greenhouse gases could not be effectively documented and essential constraints to the understanding of the global carbon cycle and climate change can not be provided by any of these measurements. Thus, in the near future it is essential to establish a long-term observational network at multiple sites especially in China and to carefully calibrate the internationally agreed greenhouse gases and related tracers reference scales, and it has to be quality controlled under the GAW framework.These long-term measurements are of the highest quality and accuracy possible to identify trends, seasonal variability, spatial and temporal distribution, source and sink strengths of greenhouse gases to allow climate and carbon cycle researchers to improve the under standing of the carbon cycle and predict how the atmosphere and climate evolve in the future as a result of human' s activities.