Protoplasts isolated from cotyledon-derived callus of Actinidia chinensis Planch. var. chinensis (2N ¼ 2x ¼ 58) were fused with mesophyll protoplasts of Actiniadia kolomikta (Maxim. et Rupr.) Maxim (2N ¼ 2x ¼ 58) using a PEG method. Plantlets were regenerated from the fusion product clone 11. RAPD analyses, chromosome numbers of root tip cells and fluorescence peak position of leaf nuclei confirmed that clone 11 was an interspecific somatic hybrid (2N ¼ 4x ¼ 116) between A. chinensis and A. kolomikta. The chilling tolerance of the somatic hybrid was tested with in vitro leaves at low temperatures. Based on data of leaf thickness, electroconductivity, proline levels, malondialdehyde content and activity of superoxide dismutase, dendrogram cluster analysis suggested that the interspecific somatic hybrid was similar to A. kolomikta, and might have a higher capacity of cold resistance than A. chinensis.