In this paper, we attempt to give an insider's perspective on mainland China's tertiary vocational education/training (VET) through reflecting upon its recent history, the social and economic conditions for its current growth and survival, and the challenges facing its future. We will take stock of four major problems that have been hindering the tertiary VET's future growth in China, including graduates' low job placement rate, lack of funding, the need for social recognition, and concentration of students from low-income families. In order to solve these problems, we believe that China's tertiary VET practitioners and policy-makers need to work together and overcome five challenges, which are to seek recognition and acceptance both in wider society and at policy level, collaborate closely with industrial enterprises, adopt appropriate staff development/recruitment strategies, and launch balanced program structures in response to the job market realities. [Abstract modified to meet ERIC guidelines.]