Promoting the combination of scientific research and science popularization, encouraging and guiding scientists to participate in science popularization, especially in popular science writing, is one of the initiatives in the field of science communication in China. Based on questionnaire survey and panel interviews, this research tries to analyze the current situation of scientists' engagement in popular science writing, their problems and requirements. According to the investigation, Chinese scientists widely believe that it is their responsibilities to participate in popular science writing and they show strong willingness to that. However, they don't actively engage in popular science writing accordingly, and even if involved in it, the form is quite traditional. Interest and social responsibility act as the main motivation for them to participate in popular science writing. The lack of time and energy, imperfect assessment and incentive mechanism are the main obstacles. And on the demand side, the scientists expect a better policy environment and incentives, as well as the corresponding training and services. Based on the aforementioned research, the paper puts forward relevant countermeasures and suggestions on inspiring scientists to participate in popular science writing.