Abstract: Based on multidisciplinary data of temperature, salinity, nutrient and chlorophyll a (Chl a) in the East China Sea (ECS) during May 2017, this paper analyzed the spatial patterns of nutrients and relations to hydrodynamics, discussing the influences of Kuroshio Subsurface Water (KSSW) related-upwelling and cross-shelf transport on the distributions of nutrients and Chl a. The results show that two high-nutrient regions existed off Zhejiang coast and in the northeastern ECS. Moreover, Chl a was maintained at a high level off Zhejiang coast. The upper-layer waters in the southeastern ECS were characterized by low nutrient and low Chl a, while the bottom waters in this area exhibited high phosphate (PO₄-P) concentrations. The water mass structure largely regulated the concentrations and distributions of nutrients in the ECS. The Zhe-Min Coastal Water and the southward Yellow Sea Coastal Current corresponded to the two high-nutrient regions. Influenced by the KSSW intrusion, the bottom waters in the southeastern ECS showed high PO₄-P concentrations. The intrusion and upwelling of KSSW from northeast Taiwan to the ECS shelf not only significantly affected the temperature, salinity andcurrent patterns in the studied area, but also was an important channel or pathway for the cross-shelf transport of nutrients. The nutrient transport associated with the Zhe-Min Coastal Water and KSSW contributed to high Chl a from the southeastern region off Hangzhou Bay to Zhejiang coast. The upwelling of KSSW with an appropriate N/P ratio and rich PO₄-P played a potentially important role in maintaining the primary production in nearshore region. Overall, this study revealed the spatial patterns of nutrients and relationships with hydrological and ecological processes in the ECS during spring, laying a foundation for unraveling controlling mechanisms and ecological effects of nutrients in this marginal sea.