Abstract: Using institutional-based theory and descriptive statistical and multiple linear regression method, this study explores and examines the institutional drivers of corporate social responsibility(CSR)strategy in China. We find that Government pressure and policy and international capital market has significant positive impacts on companies' CSR strategy. Our findings suggest that government plays a crucial role in improving CSR in countries where state ownership is prevalent and coercive isomorphism is an important institutional driver of Chinese large companies' CSR strategy. We also find ownership concentration and the normative isomorphism have significant negative impacts on companies' CSR strategy. Our results show institutional theory is an appropriate foundation for studying CSR in China.