Abstract: Many achievements and remarkable progress have been made in active tectonics in China, especially since the 1980s. These studies have laid a foundation for the quantitative study of active tectonics, based on a large number of extensive professional, targeted investigation and comprehensive research work. This paper reviews the research history of active tectonics and synthesizes a large number of previous studies, in order to summarize the basic characteristics of the active tectonics in continental China and its control over the regional geodynamic processes. The structural complexity generally results from the unique tectonic location. The modern crustal deformation is spatially various due to plate tectonics from different directions. On the whole, the geometric images of active tectonics in continental China are mainly composed of active tectonics of different properties and sizes controlled by regional faults. In this paper, we summarized the basic characteristics, geometric images and kinematic features, and the effects of these factors on earthquake. In addition, we also explore the regional geodynamic processes and modes in typical regions based on the general geodynamic characteristics of the continental China and the control of active tectonics on the tectonic deformation and strong seismic activities. Finally, combined with the development of new technologies and methods, the research directions and objectives in the future are illustrated.