The incidence of infection with Campylobacter jejuni was determined in individuals with and without diarrheal disease seen at a hospital in Changsha, China. Stool specimens were cultured by two methods: one developed by the Chinese and a second control method used commonly in the United States. Among people with diarrhea, 18.7% of the 48 children and 8.7% of 104 adults were infected with Campylobacter jejuni. In the group without diarrhea, 8.6% of 105 children but none of 76 adults tested had the organism in their stool. Of the 27 total positive cultures, the Chinese method was positive in 26, compared with 21 for the control method. The Chinese culture method was at least as sensitive and specific as the American method. The biochemical characteristics and antibiotic sensitivities of Chinese isolates were similar to organisms isolated in other parts of the world. This study shows that Campylobacter jejuni is a common enteric pathogen in China and that the asymptomatic carrier state of this organism is significant in children.