The increases in air temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations are the two most important attributes of global climate change. CO₂ concentrations have increased from 280 μmol/mol in 1800 to 396 μmol/mol at present, and in the worst case scenario, it is estimated to reach 936 μmol/mol by the end of this century. Concomitant with the enhanced greenhouse effect caused by the increasing concentrations of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases, the projected rise in the global average surface air temperature before 2100 relative to 1980-1999 is about 1.8-4.0℃. Rice is one of the most important food crops for more than half of the world's population. In this review, we introduced the experimental platforms that have been used to study the effects of rising temperatures and CO₂ comcentrations on crops. Subsequently, the experimental progress achieved so far was summarized systematically, highlighting the effects of two important environmental factors-temperature and CO₂ concentration-on rice growth and development. The factors studied include photosynthesis, development process, tillers formation, biomass production, grain yield, process of fertilization, carbon and nitrogen metabolism, rice quality and rice/weed competition etc. As the main substrate for photosynthesis, the elevated concentrations of atmospheric CO₂ exhibited direct beneficial effects on rice productivity in most cases. In contrast, the effects of temperature rise, or its combined effect with higher CO₂ concentrations, on the rice growth process varied substantially (from negative to positive). This reflects the complex relationship between the treatment factors (including the CO₂, temperature treatment level and duration) and the varieties and growth conditions of rice. Until now, our knowledge in this field has mainly been obtained from the studies conducted in closed or semi-closed gas chambers. The focus of future research will be the use of rice T-FACE (Temperature-Free Air CO₂ Enrichment), in combination with chamber facilities, to carry out further multidisciplinary research. The ultimate goal will be to understand the effects of temperature, CO₂ interactions on the key processes of rice growth and the biological mechanisms involved in such interactions to improve our ability in predicting the variation in rice growth with changing climatic conditions and to develop more effectively the adaptation strategies to cope with climate change.