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Based on the two most recent assessments of Chinese higher plants in 2013 and 2020, of 34,450 and 39,330 species, respectively, we analysed the threatened status of Chinese higher plants. In 2020, around 4,088 (10.39%) of the assessed species in China are threatened, 2,875 (7.31%) Near Threatened, 27,593 (70.16%) not currently threatened and categorised as Least Concern and 4,752 (12.08%) categorised as Data Deficient. While in 2013, 3,767 (10.93%) of the assessed higher plants in China are threatened, 2,723 (7.90%) Near Threatened, 24,296 (70.53%) Least Concern and 3,612 (10.48%) Data Deficient. Estimates of the Red List Index in the two years show different patterns when using different weighting methods with the equal steps weighting method showing a slight decrease (0.91675–0.91495) and the extinction risk weighting method showing a slight increase (0.98792–0.98797). We inferred that China's threatened plant species were likely / relatively effectively protected. However, attention should also be given to the non-threatened species in the future as an additional strategy for their conservation, to maintain their non-threatened status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]