Abstract: Local seismic work is an important part of the seismic work in China, it has different characteristics and advantages compared with the special seismic ranks and its nction could not be replaced by the special ranks in short-term and imminent prediction, tracing to the dynamic state of seismic situation, the study of precursory observation methods and obtaining and identifying various precursory information.The observation means used in local seismic work are of relatively scientific, with relatively reasonable arrangement, covering vast area and close to seismic regions which can complement inadequacy of the observational networks managed by the special seismic ranks, so it has become an important part of the whole seismic system in catching short-term and imminent anomalies and in implementing short-term and imminent predictoin.With close cooperation to the special seismic ranks, the local seismic work has played an important role in comprehensive defence and seismic hazard reduction.