In order to respond to global climate change MEPC 72 has adopted the initial IMO strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships, in which overall arrangements for international shipping industries have been made from seven aspects such as context, vision, levels of ambition and guiding principles, candidate short, mid and long-term measures and their impacts, barriers and supportive measures, follow-up actions and periodic review of the strategy. After a detailed interpretation of the initial strategy, possible impact of the strategy on China is analyzed, and some countermeasures and suggestions are put forward which can provide support for further research on strategy and measures for reduction of greenhouse gas emission.