The development of China's tectonics can be divided into five stages: the first is pre-1926, when research work was done mainly by foreign scientists; the second one, from 1926 to 1949, may be called the initial stage and during the time the foundation of tectonic research was laid in our country; the third stage ranges from 1949 to 1966, during which the tectonics grew vigorously and various schools of thought developed in full content; the 10 years' duration of the "Great Cultural Revolution" calamity, between 1966 and 1976, is the fourth stage and the last one, is 1976 to the present, the theory of plate tectonics has prevailed. The past decades have seen considerable accomplishments: abundant material and data gathered through continued investigations, which are essential to tectonic researches; the classification of orogenic cycles and tectonic stages of China widely accepted by Chinese geologists; the major tectonic units, the main fault systems and the suture zones determined in general; the deep tectonics has been broadly outlined; and great advances made in the study of the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) plateau; and moreover, a number of important research programs are progressing fairly and steadily. We hold that the atmosphere of academic freedom and the creative thinking from the objective facts of China's geology are the necessary requirements for its development, while copying or following another's example simply is the biggest hindrance. Guided by the scientific concept of Earth systems, several tectonic schools of thought within China are proceeding towards the way of both developing individually and penetrating mutually, and a new system of tectonic theory is in embryo.