In recent years, khondalite has become a very popular term in the study of Precambrian geology and metamorphic geology as well as continental evolution. Khondalite has different geological and tectonic implications in some articles. For example,khondalite is suggested to have undergone either high- temperature and moderate- pressure (amphibolite- granulite facies) metamorphism or high- temperature and ultra- high- temperature metamorphism. And as a result, it is a representative of the Earths Paleoproterozoic environment, or its occurrence marks the ancient continental boundaries or cover layers of stable cratons, and so on. Undoutedly, the study of khondalite is of great significance. However, the concept of khondalite is used in different ways, refecting that researchers have different understanding of the definition of khondalite, its rock assemblage and distribution, sedimentary environment and metamorphic history, tectonic implications and other aspects. This present situation has impeded the useful interchange of ideas and even led to ambiguity and misunderstanding. Therefore, it necessiates an effort to clearly define the term khondalite and to discuss its connotation, tectonic implication and other relavant issues. This is just my original intention to write this paper. This paper first reviewes the study of khondalite and related rocks showing that khondalite- bearing meta- sedimentary rocks. The khondalitic rocks in the North China Craton (NCC) Consists basically of three parts, the lower coarse- grained clastic rocks, middle peltites and argillaceous rocks, and upper carbonate rocks. All the sedimentary successions underwent high- grade metamorphism, with some of which had changed into anatectic magma, as manefested by occurrences of large quantities of autochthonous or para- autochthonous granites. Meta- gabbroid dykes and bodies are also associated with the khondalite. Presence of quartz arenite and absence of volcanic rock in kondalitic rocks indicate sedimentation happened in a relatively stable tectonic setting in the NCC. It is proposed that sedimentary rocks were deposited in low- strained rifts during the Paleoproterozoic “quiet period” after Neoarchean cratonization. Synrift low- rate subsidence led to widespread deposition of quartz arenite and subsequent deeper marine mudrocks. Postrift regional subsidence gave rise to the formation of carbonate rocks. Presence of black carbonaceous shales characterizes the Proterozoic khondalites, a feature distinct from Archean sedimentary rocks. A tectonic model is advanced to explain how the rift sedimentary successions were altered into khondalite. The Paleoproterozoic khondalites and 〖JP〗related rocks in the NCC are globally comparable. Therefore, study of khondalite will help understand a number of Proterozoic events, such as the legendary Huron Rift event, the Large Oxygen Event, and the subsequent Orosirian orogeny. Khondalite is record of special geological processes on Earth.