On the basis of analyses on depositional patterns, fault activity, syneruption normal faults, dike arrangement, border fault kinematics and stress calculation from slipdata in the Hefei basin, detailed studies on evolution of extensional direction were conducted. The results show that the basin experienced an evolution from WNW—ESE extension of the earliest—middle Early Cretaceous, NW—SE extension of the latest Early Cretaceous to nearly N—S extension of Late Cretaceous—Paleogene. Previous studies demonstrate that the Izanagi Plate moved WNWwards during the earliest—middle Early Cretaceous and NNWwards during latest Early Cretaceous while the Pacific Plate moved generally northwards during the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene. The synchronous clockwise rotation of the both extensional direction and oceanic plate motion suggests that destruction of the eastern North China Craton took place under the backarc extensional setting. The coupling variation between the extensional direction in the backarc region of the overriding continental plate and oceanic plate motion may be a result of change in trench retreating direction that leads to the change of extensional direction in the backarc region.