The advent of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) has its social background and theoretical foundation.Though ESP has experienced rapid development in China since 1970s,its theoretical research still remains to be deepened in Chinese universities; more research should be done on the rhetorical strategies of different genres rather than merely on their features at different linguistic levels.In teaching practice,more needs perfecting in terms of positioning of ESP in higher education,teaching materials,teachers training as well as teaching methodology.It is believed that,with social needs as its main driving force,ESP has a promising prospect in China.