Novel phenolate anion-based branched/cross-linked anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are synthesized via the quaterization reaction between poly (arylene ether sulfone) containing side-chain benzyl groups and 2,4,6-Tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol. The branched/cross-linked AEMs show much higher performance than the corresponding uncross-linked membrane (Q) because of branched/cross-linked structure and phenolate anion-based antioxidant structure in membrane. Among the branched/cross-linked AEMs, CQ15 with IEC of 1.25 mequiv.g(-1) shows a reasonably high hydroxide conductivity of 32 mS cm(-1) at 80 degrees C, low P-M of 0.41 x 10(-7) cm(2) s(-1), large phi of 39 x 10(4) Scm(-3)s, and display above three times of oxidative stability than Q. Meanwhile, CQ15 exhibits long-term stability against alkali treatment at 60 degrees C for 216 h with small reduction in hydroxide conductivity by only 16%, and also remains stable in 4 mol L-(1) NaOH solution at 80 degrees C for 132 h with low reduction in hydroxide conductivity by 20%, indicating high potential application for anion exchange membrane fuel cell. Copyright (C) 2016, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.