Numerous intraplate, fault‐bounded basins have been developed on the Chinese landmass as a result of interactions between the Pacific, Asian and Indian Plates since Mesozoic‐Cenozoic times. In Eastern China, continental‐rift basins were formed in a geodynamic regime during which the continental crust was stretched and thinned, and moved slowly towards the Pacific Ocean. These rift basins may be distinguished from those in NE, Northern and Southern China, due to differences in basement configuration and evolution.In Central China, cratonic subsidence depressions exist, with thin‐skinned décollement tectonics, fold belts and minor fore‐deeps. These include the Ordos, Sichuan and Chuxiong Basins, which can be differentiated according to their stage of development.In Western China, crustal compression resulted in horizontal shortening and vertical thickening; thus, fore‐deep and intermontane basins were developed, usually associated with basement thr