The term "foreland basin" has been widely used in the study of petroliferous basins in central and western China. However, there is a spatial tendency of "pan-foreland basinization", a tendency of expansion of its use in the geological evolution and a tendency of complication in the citation of the term. Therefore, the term "foreland basin" has caused much concern in China. Based on the literature, the present paper follows the original meaning of foreland basin and its evolution, and correctly understands the characteristics of foreland basins. A comparison has been made between the sedimentary basins in central and western China and the typical foreland basins abroad. It is found that there are more individualities than commonalities between the two. Hence, a direct citation of the term "foreland basin" in the study of sedimentary basins in central and western China is not suitable. The authors suggest adopting the term "Intracontinental subduction foreland basin" (abbreviated as C-foreland basin), which represents the individualities of sedimentary basins in central and western China. The term "Intracontinental subduction foreland basin" will be helpful to building formation modes of petroleum pools and advancing petroleum exploration in central and western China. Besides, three issues have been conscientiously discussed about the development of Chinese petroleum tectonics.