Abstract: There is practical necessity of comprehensive geological research and exploration and development of coal- bearing basin because of extensive develop ed coal and symbiosis multiple energy resources in coal measure. There is a long coal accumulating time, widely distributed coal measure strata, and large coal accum ulating area in China. Characteristics of coal measure strata like high organic matter content, strong cyclicity of the sediments, main kerogen of卫type, rich terrigenous materials, and multi- period teclonothermal evolution set a good foundation for development of unconventional gas in coal measure strata. Aiming at the basic character istics and research status of unconventional gas in coal measure strata like coalbed methane, shale gas, tight sandstone gas and natural gas hydrates, the mode of sy mbiotic occurrence of unconventional gas was proposed, and several scientific issues and development trend for comprehensive study were discussed. The research C an provide a theoretical basis and guide direction for geology and development of unconventional gas in China.