Dating violence is a serious social problem worldwide. This study examined the prevalence and risk factors of both severe and minor physical assault perpetration and victimization by applying the ecological model. A self-report survey study was conducted among 1391 university students with average of 22.49 (SD = 4.27) from sixteen universities in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taiwan). Binary logistic regression was used to examine the associated factors in the ecological framework including ontogenic development, the microsystem, the exosystem and the macrosystem of the presence of severe and minor physical assault perpetration and victimization in the preceding year respectively. Results indicated that the prevalence of minor physical assault perpetration and victimization and severe physical assault perpetration and victimization in the preceding year among Chinese university students were 34.1%, 16.2%, 23.9% and 12.5% respectively. Significant differences were found between genders in minor and severe perpetration. Regarding all types of minor and server physical assault perpetration and victimization, “sex as part of relationship” (aOR = 1.98-2.23, ps<0.05) significantly increased the likelihood of preceding year physical assault after controlling for all other variables in the model. “Good anger management” was associated with a 60-70% decrease in the odds of physical assault perpetration and victimization. Participants in Taiwan was less likely to perpetrate or be victimized by minor or severe physical assault (aOR = 0.33-0.51, ps<0.05). Female students were more likely to report minor and severe physical assault perpetration than male counterparts [aOR = 2.48 (1.80,3.43), and 2.89 (1.83,4.56) respectively].