Objective This study aims to evaluate the risk for the introduction of African swine fever virus to China and to predict the potential distribution of the vectors, providing the basis for development of prevention and control strategies. Methods The adaptability analysis software, Climex, was employed to predict the potential distribution of soft ticks in China. Results The parameter setting was derived from the biological data of soft ticks and the default template parameters of Climex. The analysis revealed that the ecoclimatic indexes of soft ticks in such places as Yunnan, Guizhou, Eastern Sichuan, Chongqing, Southern Shaanxi, Hunan, Hubei, Northeastern Jiangxi, Anhui, Henan, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shandong and Hebei were greater than 20; these locations would be the highly suitable, potential habitats for soft ticks in China. Conclusion Some areas in China may be the natural foci of African swine fever, suggesting that the future monitoring and control should be focused on these regions.