Target observation is a new observational strategy to improve forecast level of extreme weather events. Under the promotion of the Observing System Research and Predictability Experiment proposed by the World Meteorological Organization in 2003, a lot of scientific research and field campaigns for target observation have been worldwidely conducted and effectively upgraded the forecast level of relevant extreme weather events. Chinese scientists started late in target observations; however, they have achieved breakthroughs in the past decade or so. In this article, we introduce the idea of target observation and elucidate the crucial issues for target observations. We also overview the field campaigns conducted for target observations in the world and review both the progresses in research and the efforts in implementing field campaigns for target observation associated with tropical cyclone forecasts in China.