Activity data and technical information of cement production lines in China from 2011 to 2015 were collected. A NOx emissions calculating model and emissions database were developed for the cement industry, and the NOx emissions characteristics of cement production lines in China from 2011 to 2015 were analyzed. The results showed that NOx emissions increased from 1.69 million tons in 2010 to 1.99 million tons in 2012, and then decreased in the subsequent three years to 1.68 million tons in 2015. The provincial-level emissions are significantly uneven. Anhui, Sichuan, Henan, Hunan, Yunnan, and Shandong provinces rank among the top six contributors in the country and together accounted for about 40% of the national emissions in 2015. Shanghai, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Xinjiang, Hunan, Yunnan, and Sichuan were the top seven by emissions factor. Lines with capacity of more than 4000 t·d-1 contributed the largest part of NOx emissions. The average NOx emissions factor of more than 4000 t·d-1 lines was 1.24 kg·t-1. The rapid spread of pre-calcining kilns in China and a higher pollution abatement level were the main factors leading to variations in NOx pollution characteristics in China.