Rice (Oryza sativa L.) holds significant importance as a staple food crop, and its continual improvement plays a crucial role in sustainable advancement of agriculture and food security in China. Radiation mutagenesis technology offers an effective approach for breeding high-yield, superior-quality, and stress-resistant rice varieties, thereby contributing positively to the independent innovation of China's seed industry. This study provides a comprehensive review on the progress and notable achievements made in the field of radiation-induced mutation breeding of rice in China over the past two decades. It encompasses various aspects, including the application of various types of radiation sources for radiation mutagenesis in rice, establishment of reliable screening methods, progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying radiation-induced mutation, particularly through genomic variation studies. Additionally, the study highlights the development of a rice mutant bank comprising diverse phenotypes such as yield, resistance, and quality, along with the identification of related gene mutations. Furthermore, it discusses the creation of new varieties through radiation mutagenesis. Looking ahead, this technology will further contribute to the cultivation of higher yielding rice varieties adaptable to different environments and possess superior quality, while also creating new germplasms for gene function research in China.