Air pollution problem on a global or regional scale has become increasingly prominent. Meanwhile, satellite remote sensing of air quality also evolved dramatically over the last decades. Application of remote sensing technology in aerosol, haze, near-surface particulate matter, pollutant gases and greenhouse gases are reviewed for current instruments, along with inversion algorithms and their process. The importance of developing a software system for monitoring air quality using multi-source satellite data is also discussed. For the requirement of satellite remote sensing of air quality over China, the existing inadequacies of the development of atmospheric remote sensing in China are pointed out, and some recommendations are given for further promoting and improving the application of remote sensing technology in atmospheric monitoring and air pollution epidemiologic studies.