Pretensioned long span steel space structures are a new type of hybrid structures resulting from combining modem prestressing technology with long-span structures such as space grid structures (including space trusses aod lattice shells), cable-bar tensioned structures and spatial truss structures. These structures have been developed rapidly and have round many applications in China in the recent decade This paper provides a review of applications and developments of pretensioned long span steel structures in China The following topics on new technologies and new structures are given emphasis prestressed grid structures, cable stayed grid structures, beam string structures and prestressed segmental steel trusses. Prospects for pretensioned steel space structures are presented at Ihe end of the paper.