Aluminium　alloys　are　among　the　most　important　parts　of　lightweight　structural　materials　being　of　strategic　significance,　but　are　difficult　to　weld　with　conventional　techniques　due　to　their　special　metallurgical　properties.　Laser　beam　welding　is　a　fast　growing　technology　that　offers　new　opportunities　in　joining　those　alloys.　In　this　paper,　progresses　in　laser　welding　of　aluminium　alloys　are　reviewed　mainly　based　on　the　author＇s　research　achievements　financially　supported　by　the　National　＇863＇　Program　of　the　Ministry　of　Science　and　Technology　and　by　the　Program　for　New　Century　Excellent　Talents　in　University　of　the　Ministry　of　Education　in　China.