Oilseed rape is the largest source of vegetable oil produced in China. Oilseed rape germplasm has played a key role in promoting the rapid development of rape breeding and industry. By continuous collecting and utilizing elite germplasm, and consequently breeding of high-yielding high-quality high-resistance new varieties, the rapeseed yield level increased from 487.5 kg/ha in 1949 to 1,995.2 kg/ha in 2017. The seed quality was improved from conventional "high erucic acid and high glucosinolates" to "low erucic acid and low glucosinolates", the oil quality is as good as olive oil, which has greatly improved edible vegetable oil supply and nutrition in China. This paper reviewed the background and research progress of collection, reproduction, conservation, evaluation and identification, gene discovery, enhancement and utilization of germplasm, summarized the strategies and breakthroughs of oilseed rape germplasm research in recent two decades in China, and proposed future developmental directions and priorities in the field.