Abstract: The East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) has two dominant modes: the in-phase and out-of-phase variations of wind anomalies over northern and southern China. Different from the first mode reflecting a uniform strong/weak situation of the EAWM throughout eastern China, the second mode indicates a situation that the intensity of low-latitude EAWM over southern China is independent of and even opposite to that of mid–high-latitude EAWM over northern China. The present study focuses on the characteristics of tropical and subtropical circulation anomalies associated with the variability of low-latitude EAWM under the background of the second mode by using empirical orthogonal function analysis, correlation analysis, and partial correlation analysis. The results reveal that the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) can be considered as an important circulation system that contributes to the variation of low-latitude EAWM. Corresponding to a stronger and northward-extended ITCZ, convective ascensions over the tropical western Pacific and South China Sea are strengthened. This anomalous ascension may induce low-level anomalous northerly wind, thus resulting in a stronger low-latitude EAWM. In addition, the subtropical upper-level jet can be regarded as another important circulation system affecting the low-latitude EAWM. An increase in wind speed along the axis of the jet may cause anomalous northerly quasi-geostrophic winds near the jet entrance. Associated with the forced positive secondary circulation anomaly with anomalous descent (ascension) to the north (south) of the jet, the low-level anomalous northerly wind appears under the jet, which in turn, facilitates a stronger low-latitude EAWM. Finally, both the individual and joint effects of tropical convective activities and upper-level subtropical jet on the low-latitude EAWM are further investigated. Relatively, the influence of the ITCZ seems more important. When the two circulation anomalies simultaneously increase (i.e., more active convective activity of the ITCZ and stronger wind speed along the subtropical upper-level jet), their joint effect can significantly reinforce northerly winds to the south of 35°N over southern China and vice versa. The abovementioned results imply that the variability of low-latitude EAWM is not only affected by cold air surges from northern China but also modulated by the joint effects of tropical and subtropical circulation anomalies.