RNA 5-methylcytosine (m⁵C) modification is involved in various developmental processesstress tolerance. However, its role in abiotic stress responses remains largely unknown in rice. We previously demonstrated that the writer OsNSUN2 is required for heat adaptation by facilitating the translation of m⁵C-mRNAs. Herein, we identify OsALY4 as an m⁵C reader to modulate the chillingsalt tolerance in rice seedlings. The interaction between OsALY4RNA helicase OsAIP2 is essential for nucleocytoplasmic export of target mRNAs of OsALY4 under normal condition, including those of OsWRKY45, OsMDHAR3,OsHAK13. In the osaly4 mutant, these target mRNAs are more efficiently transported to cytoplasm under stress conditions due to the high expression of OsALY2OsALY6, which affect chillingsalt tolerance through several pathways. Our findings uncover the critical function of m⁵C modification on mRNA transportstress adaptation in rice, shedding new light on the intricate mechanisms underlying plant resilience.