Abstract: Cenozoic carbonate platforms of great thickness are widely deve1oped in the South China Sea, most of which have been drowned since the Late Cenozoic and named drown carbonate platform accordingly. The carbonate platforms in the South China Sea are unique and rich in tectonic evolution information. The carbonate platforms were deve1oped by the rifting proces- ses, and were initiated on the faulted b1ock shoulder in the conjugated rifting margin. The South China Sea margin experienced rifting, thinning, and mantle exhumation. The Eocene and Early 01igocene NE-SW direction riftingled to breakup unconformi- ty. Then Centra1 Ocean Basin occurred during Late 01igocene-Early Miocene sea f1oor spreading. Tectonic tilt, faulting and mi- gration of compressive fold in the front of foreland basins contro11ed the distribution, thickness and seismic reflection horizonta1 variation. Tectonic induced relative sealeve1 changes contro11ed the sedimentary cycles of carbonate platforrns. ^nd more, later rapid subsidence in Late Miocene induced the drowning of most carbonate platforms.