Since the middle of the 19th century, there have been two major theoretical innovations in tectonics: the theories of geosyncline—platform and plate tectonics. Although the theory of plate tectonics is still popular at present, a new geotectonic concept——the multisphere tectonic view of the Earth system (multisphere tectonic view for short) ——is already in shape. The geosyncline—platform theory was originated in the mid19th century and prevalent in the first half of the 20th century, which should be the beginning of theoretical study on crustal structure and evolution by geologists. The research methods are those used in the traditional geology. The research object is the continental crust, with the fold belt (orogenic belt) and craton being the core of investigations. The geosyncline—platform concept greatly contributed to the advances of the geological science and laid a good foundation for the further development of the Earth sciences. Plate tectonics was firstly developed in the 1960s. In addition to geological methods, geophysical and geochemical and other modern scientific and technological means have been adopted during the study of geological processes. The research object is the global continental and oceanic lithosphere. This theory made the study of tectonics being extended from the surface to the interior of the Earth and from the continent to the ocean, which has brought the Earth sciences to a higher level. Although the theory of plate tectonics is still prevalent at present, its shortcomings and defects have been becoming apparent. The multisphere tectonic view of the Earth system was conceived in the late 1980s and is now developing. Its research is in various ways, including a combination of geology with geophysics, geochemistry, and deep and outer space exploration. The research object is not only the crust of the Earth’s outer layer or lithosphere, but the whole of the Earth and its multisphere interaction. We believe that the 21st century is the era when the multisphere tectonic view will be developed and improved ceaselessly. The Meso—Cenozoic tectonic evolution of China and its adjacent areas is one of the optical starting points in the study of multisphere tectonics in the world. We expect Chinese geoscientists to play their due role in the new round of tectonic theory innovation.