[Aim] A list of 100 of the world's worst invasive alien species (IAS) has been compiled by the IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group in 2000. So far, no detailed analysis of the occurrence and distribution of these 100 species in Chinese mainland has been reported. Analyzing the invasion status of these species in Chinese mainland can provide a basis for developing hierarchical IAS management strategies. [Method] A comprehensive survey of 100 of the world's worst IAS was conducted through a literature review including online databases, books, and literature reports, as well as project reports on IAS in China. Data on taxonomic rank, occurrence status, provincial distribution, and affected ecosystems were standardized and categorized. [Result] We identified 82 of the globally worst IAS that occurred in Chinese mainland: 33 species were actually native to China, 32 were IAS also in China, and 16 were not considered invasive; one species was without a clear identification of origin which could thus not be classified. The 32 IAS comprised eight terrestrial invertebrates, two mammals, two fish, one amphibian, one reptile, two aquatic invertebrates, nine land plants, four aquatic plants, one fungus, one oomycete, and one virus. These species were mainly distributed in the southeastern coastal areas and southwestern areas and rarely occurred in northeastern and northwestern China. Almost 75% of these species occurred in agricultural, urban, forest, and wetland ecosystems. [Conclusion] Our results suggest that different management strategies should be adopted for these species. Particular attention should be paid to the 18 species that are currently absent from Chinese mainland. The management departments of IAS should make considerable efforts to list them as control targets of IAS nationally in order to prevent their introduction and spread. Regarding non-IAS, continued monitoring of their dispersal dynamics is needed to prevent their spread to the margins of ecosystems potentially threatened by invasion. Prevention and control hierarchy systems should be continuously applied in IAS management to minimize existing hazards by implementing effective control strategies.