As the core equipment of the liquid metal cooling circuit, the reactor coolant pump (RCP) of a liquid-metal-cooled fast reactor plays a decisive role in the safety and engineering feasibility of the reactor system, with its degree of localization being of particular significance. This study analyzes the technical characteristics and localization needs of the RCP for liquid-metal-cooled fast reactors, and reviews their major development stages in China, including engineering introduction and initial establishment of localization capability, prototype development and verification, as well as engineering validation and capability enhancement. Considering the distinctive hydraulic challenges posed by liquid metal media in RCP, the study summarizes the research progress in hydraulic performance, involving macroscopic performance characteristics and operating-condition response, internal flow structures and energy conversion mechanisms, as well as unsteady flow and stability. This study further reviews advances in the structural design and material research of key RCP components, such as hydraulic components, rotor dynamic systems, and heat shielding systems. Overall, the localization pathway of RCP for liquid-metal-cooled fast reactors in China has progressively evolved from technological tracking and assimilation to the stage of independent design and engineering validation. While a certain research foundation has been established for hydraulic performance and key component development, further studies are still required on multifactorial interactions under complex operating conditions, system-level heat management, and long-term operational reliability. Future research should focus on the synergistic evolution mechanism of "flow, heat transfer, structures, and materials" under liquid metal conditions, long-term stable operation of critical structures, and heat management mechanism of the RCP system centered on heat shielding systems. Meanwhile, integrated design of materials, structures, and manufacturing processes, together with the construction of near-operational validation systems, should be promoted to gradually establish an RCP design and verification framework oriented toward engineering applications.