The development of the national ecological security barrier system in China is a major strategic measure and an integral part of the national security system and ecological civilization. Here, we discussed the current state of the ecological security barrier system in China from the viewpoints such as functional significance, development, monitoring and evaluation, and planning and implementation. Further, we analyzed the main problems and challenges of building an ecological security barrier from the destruction of natural ecosystems, social-ecological vulnerability, threats facing biodiversity conservation, insufficient support from science and technology, weak public participation and awareness, and conflict between conservation and development. Hence, we put forward our recommendations based on our current understanding and implications from the ecological security pattern, point out the importance of carrying out social-ecological vulnerability assessments, and emphasize the leading role of national parks in the development of the national ecological security barrier system. Finally, through guiding and engaging society to actively participate in the process of building, we explore ways to meet a high-quality, rapid and sustainable development by maintaining an ecological security barrier system in the new era where we aim to achieve the national target of "ecology-production-life", and accelerate the goal of building an ecological civilization.