The research on GBV through the lenses of masculinity is scarce. This qualitative research, supported by UNFPA China and Partners for Prevention, was undertaken as part of the Asia-Pacific regional study on GBV – the UN Multicountry Study on Men and Violence. It aims to understand the links between the dominant notions of masculinity (‘what it means to be a man’) and the GBV occurrence in China. The qualitative ndings complement data generated from the quantitative research and contribute to building a comprehensive evidence base for effective programming and advocacy to eliminate GBV in China.