Abstract: The value assessment of industrial heritage is based on comparing industrial heritage of the same type. At present, the research of industrial heritage in China still lacks detailed classification and evaluation. Meanwhile, how to find the proper position of heritage in the industrial layout system is also a critical issue. The study traced the evolution of the industrial classification in modern China, sorted out the changes in classification that had been spawned by the introduction of the Western 16 classification into China, i.e. the gradual refinement from the development of the 16 classification to the 30 classification, with several surveys organized by the Executive Yuan, the Legislative Yuan and Accounting Division of the National Government of the Republic of China, as well as in-depth studies conducted by researchers based on the results of the surveys, which comprehensively presented the development of the modern industrial classification. On the basis of sorting out the course of modern industrial classification, the paper integrated the modern classifications into a framework to establish a complete genealogy for the identity of modern industrial heritage and laid the foundation for further in-depth evaluation and presentation.