A new seismic energy dissipation shear wall structure is proposed in Ibis paper. Tile new shear wall is one with purposely built-in vertical slits within the wall panel, and rubber belts as seismic energy dissipation devices are installed in the vertical slits. In order to verify this concept, shaking table tests of a 1O-storey shear wall modcl with rubber belts filled in the vertical sifts were carried out, and comparison of seisndc behaviour was made between the new shear wa]l system and a shear wall with reinforced concrete connecting beams as energy dissipation, Furthermore, the seismic behaviour of this new shear wall is analysed by a finite element time history analysis method The test and analysis show thai the new shear wall system has a very good ability to dissipate seismic energy and is easy to use in engineering practice.