Improving China’s energy efficiency standards for electric motors has had significant impacts on reducing power consumption and carbon emissions and contributing to China’s ambitious goals of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality targets before 2060. This paper firstly reviews the status of the Chinese Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for electric motors, including small and medium-sized three-phase asynchronous motors, small power motors, permanent magnet motors, and high-voltage motors. This study finds that the current Chinese motor MEPS has in general reached the world-leading levels. However, the stringency of energy efficiency requirements varies among the different types of motors. The small-size motors are still less stringent than the large-size ones and there is a big space for further improvement. It also finds that China's 2013 MEPS for permanent magnet motors falls significantly behind the advancements in permanent magnet motor technology and market developments. Taking into consideration the international best practices, this paper analyzes the opportunities and challenges for China to improve its MEPS for motors. Using CLASP’s energy-saving potential modeling tool, this paper analyzes the potential of energy-saving and carbon emission reductions based on two different MEPS scenarios. Lastly, based on the status review and outlook of technological advancement, this paper provides policy recommendations on 1) continuous improvement of motor MEPS; 2) developing energy efficiency standards for motor systems; and 3) mobilizing subnational governments to develop local policies and standards to promote highly efficient motors or motor systems in China.