A significant progress had been made in the theory and practice of rice-duck farming in China in recent decades. Attained theoretic achievements include effects of rice-duck farming on: 1) nutrient cycle, matter and energy flow characteristics in paddy fields; 2) pest and disease control and the dynamic relationship between pests and natural enemies; 3) weed communities and control in paddy fields; 4) water environment and aquatic biodiversity in paddy fields; 5) soil fertility and soil biodiversity; 6) rice growth and canopy structure; 7) emission of greenhouse gases and global climate change; 8) rice quality, yield, ecosystem services and comprehensive benefits; and 9) control of golden apple snails. Developed practical innovations include: 1) technical procedures and regulations of rice-duck farming; 2) rice-duck farming with direct seeding method; 3) rice-duck farming with zero-tillage; and 4) other new development techniques such as two-batch duckling co-culture with rice in a growth season, rice intercropping with other water plants and duck co-culture. Based on the mentioned progress, present and future development trends and demand, key research perspectives were put forward as follows: 1) effect, mechanism and long-term research on rice-duck farming; 2) innovation, integration and demonstration of key technologies of rice-duck farming; 3) standardization and industrialization of rice-duck farming; and 4) rice-duck farming study in the context of low-carbon agriculture and global change demand.