The basic principle of sequence stratigraphic theory is the eustatic sea level changes which control the occurrence of cyclic depositional successions within a basin. System tracts within any sequence have a specific stratul pattern and are significant for oil and gas exploration. Most of Mesozoic and Cenozoic depressions in the east part of China are faulted basins (half grabens) filled by more than one cyclic sequences and ought to be analyzed based on the theory of sequence stratigraphy regardless they are marine in originor not. However

some difficulties must be solved and some of their own specific patterns must be esteblished before this theory can be used because of many inland faulted basins in East China had been linked up with the open sea occasionally

and their stratal patterns are different from the Vail's one as the result of abundant sediments have been supplied from peripheral areas surrounding the basins.