On the basis of a review of the available tectonic evolution models of eastern China, a new model for the Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the Qinling-Dabie erogenic belts and the process of formation and exhumation of the Dabie-Sulu ultra-high pressure (UHP) metamorphic terrane is proposed, with emphasis on the geodynamic process between the North and South China blocks at the plate scale. The South China block persistently pressed the North China block from the Late Permian to Middle Triassic; deep subduction of continental block resulted in UHP metamorphism. The quick counter-clockwise rotation of the North China block during the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic brought about transformation the tectonic environment in the Dabie-Sulu belt from compresso-shear to tenso-shear. As a result, the UHP metamorphic terrane at the upper mantle depth was quickly exhumed to the lower crust. As there exist differences in cructal structure and tectonics after emplacement of the UHP metamorphic terrane, further north-south compression resulted in great sinistral shear of the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous Tanlu fault in eastern China.