Winter-spring rainfall in southern China was higher in El Nino years from 1953-1973, but this relationship weakened from 1974-1994. During the earlier period, warm sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific led to increased rainfall in southern China. However, from 1974-1994, higher rainfall in southern China was linked to warm sea surface temperatures in the eastern South Indian Ocean and cool temperatures in the western South Indian Ocean. This shift in the relationship between rainfall in southern China and ENSO is likely due to changes in sea surface temperatures in the South Indian Ocean and the Pacific decadal oscillation.