Abstract: The distribution of trough and ridge system, the configuration of teleconnection, and the horizontal propagation of quasi-stationary waves are the main important characteristics of the January monthly mean 500 hPa height field. Upon data analyses and numerical experiments, it is shown that these three main characteristics are associated one another and closely related to the mechanical forcing of the Rocky Mountains and Tibetan Plateau. There exists prominent negative correlation in intensity variation between the American trough and Asian trough at high and middle latitudes. Such negative correlation, in conjunction with the annual variation of the intensity of the jets in front of the two troughs, leads to the existence of the similar teleconnection patterns in the North America and East Asia. On the other hand, the different propagation behaviors of quasi-stationary waves downstream of the two main mountains result in the fundamental difference in the distribution of correlation chains in the North America and East Asia.