Livestock germplasm resources are a strategic foundation for sustainable agricultural development, food security, and biodiversity conservation. Their security status directly influences the development of the livestock industry and the safety of the national seed sector. To systematically assess the current status and challenges of livestock germplasm conservation in China, as well as to enhance China's conservation capacities, an in-depth comparative analysis from a global perspective is urgently needed. Based on domestic and international databases and policy documents, and drawing on the results of the third national census of livestock germplasm resources, this study reviews the multiple values of China's livestock germplasm resources across economic, breeding, cultural, ecological, medical, and social dimensions. It compares conservation systems in China and other countries in terms of breed diversity, endangered status, and the current state of in situ and ex situin vivo conservation, unveiling global trends in livestock germplasm resources conservation. The results indicate that although China possesses abundant livestock germplasm resources and a conservation system of an initial scale, significant gaps remain in diversity monitoring, conservation coverage, and technical support compared with advanced international standards. Based on these findings, the study proposes recommendations for future conservation efforts in China. These include developing a population dynamics monitoring and evaluation system, improving the in situ and ex situin vivo conservation framework, and strengthening the development of critical technologies such as cryopreservation, thus to enhance the conservation coverage and resource utilization efficiency. This study provides theoretical support and policy guidance for understanding global trends in livestock resource conservation and advancing the high-quality construction and operation of China's conservation system.