The development of long-span spatial structures is characterized by the continual innovation of structural forms and the prompt support of theoretical studies. Several unconventional spatial structures designed by the author are introduced in this article as examples to demonstrate the efforts of Chinese engineers to create innovative structural forms in the recent two decades. Some theoretical studies by the author including the analytic theory of cable-suspended structures, the stability of reticulated shells, the seismic behavior and vibration control of reticulated shells, as well as the wind-induced response analysis of cable structures are also presented.