Laser cutting and joining technology is indispensable as an advanced manufacturing technology owing to its comprehensive advantages of flexibility, high efficiency, and high quality; and it has a profound impact on the manufacturing industry. With the intelligentization of advanced manufacturing, the laser cutting and joining technology will be surely promoted by the integration of laser technology and digital manufacturing technology. This study selects and analyzes four specific technologies that are most widely used in industry to summarize the application status of the laser joining and cutting technology, namely, laser welding, laser cutting, laser drilling, and laser marking. The problems faced by the development of the laser joining and cutting technology are discussed. The study shows that the development of laser cutting and joining technology should focus on the integration of the fundamental processes and equipment so as to improve key technologies in laser processing unit, laser materials processing, and intelligent integration. Moreover, research platforms for fundamental processes should be strengthened, with a focus on multi-dimensional combination of technological innovation and talent training. This will promote the coordinated development of the laser cutting and joining technology from application development to equipment market guarantee.