In this study, using the Typical Weather Year data developed by the authors, the annual sensible and latent cooling loads of 46 Chinese cities were calculated. Regression equations were made to estimate the annual cooling loads using the simulation results. The regional characteristics of the annual sensible and latent loads were made clear by development of maps with isometric lines of sensible or latent cooling loads. In the west part of China, the latent cooling loads are small because that the absolute humidity is very low in the Qingzang Plateau due to the low ambient temperature, and the existence of deserts in Xinjian district. The area where the cooling load is larger than 100 MJ/m^2 is about 25% of the China's territory. Considering about 60% of the whole Chinese population is living in this area, the energy consumption will grow significantly with the wide spread of air-conditioning equipment.
