Objective: To explore the correlation between emotional regulation and depressive symptoms in Zhuang left-behind children and its influencing factors. Methods: Convenient cluster sampling was carried out in Chongzuo city, Guangxi. Three middle schools (one high school and two junior high schools) were selected, with classes as units and left-behind Zhuang students as subjects. Demo graphic data, learning and exercise Questionnaire, 9 Patient Health questionnaires (PHQ-9), Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, ERQ to investigate it. Results: The detection rate of depressive symptoms in Zhuang left-behind children was 25.9%. Inhibition of expression was positively correlated with depressive symptoms. Binary logistic analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between expression inhibition and depressive symptoms (p<0.05). Girls (OR: 1.539, 95 % CI: 1.107-2.141), resident (OR: 1.928, 95 % CI: 1.150-3.233), excellent academic performance (OR: 0.334, 95 %CI: 0.130-0.863), good academic performance (OR: 0.568, 95% CI: 0.370-0.873), very high learning pressure (OR: 4.241, 95 %CI: 1.677-10.721), inhibition of expression (OR: 1.077, 95% CI: 1.046~1.109) were the influencing factors of depressive symptoms among Zhuang left-behind children. Conclusion: Inhibition of expression is positively correlated with depressive symptoms. The left-behind children who are girls, do not live in school, have poor academic performance, have great learning pressure and have high expression inhibition score are more likely to have depressive symptoms.