中文摘要：

地球表层系统科学与地质学史都具有自然科学和社会科学相结合的特征，两者研究内容和研究目标互有关联，都是从不同角度揭示地球各种地质作用和地质过程的客观规律，促使人与自然和谐发展。在地球表层系统各地质学科中，大地构造占有重要地位，因而探讨中国区域大地构造研究史，对地质学史也有重要意义。文中将中国区域大地构造的研究分为6个阶段，总结其发展的经验和过程，说明社会环境、科学路线、科技水平、思维方法等是决定科学发展的关键因素。21世纪地球表层系统科学将成为地球科学的主流之一，中国区域大地构造的研究应迅速融入地球表层系统的研究，同时也要积极创建新的大地构造理论体系。

英文摘要：

Both the earth surface system and the history of geology have the characteristics of interfacing between natural and social sciences. The content and the aim of research on these two fields are related each other. They reveal from different view points the objective regularities of various geological functions and geological processes to promote the harmonic development between humans and nature. Among all the geological disciplines of Earth surface system, regional tectonics occupies an important position. Therefore the discussion on the research history of the regional tectonics in China is significant in the study of the history of geology. The paper delineates the 6 research stages for the regional tectonics in China, summarizes experiences and progressions, and indicates that the social environment, guidelines in the scientific research, the level of contemporary science and technology and the way of thinking are the key factors determining the development of the scientific research. In the 21st century, earth surface system becomes one of the major research fields in the earth sciences. The research of regional tectonics in China has to merge with the study of earth surface system.