China has a history of more than 60 years of carrying out intrathecal labor analgesia. Through the unremitting efforts of several generations, standardized labor analgesia has been established and widely applied in clinical practice in China. This review first summarizes the history of labor analgesia, including the four stages of development in China over the past half‑century. It then focuses on the formation and widespread application of standardized labor analgesia in China. The essential elements of the Chinese intrathecal labor analgesia program, based on comprehensive management, include low concentration, high volume, minimal opioid use, whole labor process, pulsatile administration, and intelligent techniques. The entire healthcare system of labor analgesia in China is flourishing, with the point‑to‑area and area‑to‑whole development approach. Finally, this review discusses the prospects of updating the concept of labor analgesia and improving technology. Continuous attention should be given to labor analgesia outcomes, especially the protection of maternal and newborns during the perinatal period. Additionally, the application of networks, information technology, and intelligent techniques can continuously optimize the management of labor analgesia.