The present research offers a brief review of research papers on intercultural communication published in academic foreign language journals in China from 1996 to 2012.With a focus on the year of issue,periodical distribution,research topics,research methods and theories,it reveals that the intercultural communication studies in China's foreign language circle are generally based on language communication and teaching,dominated by speculative research methods and characterized by its single discipline background and relatively weak theoretical foundation.In light of the status quo of the research,the authors have proposed such counter-measures as expanding the scope of research,extending research methods,absorbing advanced Western theories,constructing indigenous theories as well as perfecting the system of discipline,thus shedding light on the prospects for the development of intercultural communication studies in China.