Abstract: It was found that Li-Nd-Zn-Mg oxide has an extremely high activity for the oxidative coupling of methane to C_2 hydrocarbons. For example, Li-Nd-Zn-Mg oxide catalyst gave a conversion for methane 53.5%, yield for C_2 hydrocarbons 30.8%(ethene yield 19.0%, ethane yield 11.8%), selectivity for C_2 hydrocarbons 57.6% at 770 ℃, flow-rate of methane and oxygen 2000 ml·h~(-1), 1000 ml·h~(-1) respectively.