The construction of regional innovation system is an inevitable requirement of China’s active participation in international competition under the background of economic globalization, and it is also an urgent need for sustained, healthy and rapid development of local economy and society. The local government, as an important part of the regional innovation system, prominently displays its special identity to complete the system functions that other innovative subjects can not achieve. On the basis of overall review of the research progress in the role of government in regional innovation system in China, this paper summarizes the shortage of the innovative market, the necessity of government participation, the problems of government and the optimization measures of governmental functions，in order to provide reference for theoretical research and policy making for the role of government in regional innovation system in China.