The achievements and current situation of 210Pb dating in the continental shelf of China were summarized. The reliability of 210Pb dating for the sedimentary rate was commented. It is shown that the sedimentary rate calculated from 210Pb dating only qualitatively or semi-quantitatively responds to the real sedimentation strength, due to the ununity of data process and result expression. Based on the current situation of 210Pb dating, the characters of the sedimentary environment in the shelf, the problems how to improve the reliability of 210Pb dating for sedimentary rate are discussed and analyzed, indicating that the reasonabale selection of study area, necessary adjustment and unity of result expression are the important factors to improve the application of 210Pb dating in the continental shelf of China.