The invention discloses a method for transmitting a downlink multi-user multiple input multiple output (MIMO) signal and a base station. The method comprises the following steps of: dividing remote radio frequency unit (RRU) ports into P / M antenna groups, and storing corresponding relationships between the antenna groups and the ports; judging channels with users, and finding antenna groups corresponding to the channels; receiving pre-coding matrixes fed back from the users, selecting users in different antenna groups, and performing downlink multi-user MIMO transmission; informing the users of the antenna groups and the pre-coding matrixes for downlink data transmission, wherein the pre-coding matrixes are selected from a codebook set with a port number M by the users; and weighting data according to the pre-coding matrixes, outputting the weighted data to the users at antenna ports of the users, and not transmitting the data of the users by using the other ports. Useful signal transmission power is improved, interference is reduced, and indoor cell throughput is improved.