Three distinct continental marginal basin types are developed in the South China Sea, i.e., divergence, transform-extensional and flexural-extensional complex types based on the boundary conditions. Difference in tectonic evolution in those basins results in great distinct in sedimentary fill and associated accumulating conditions of hydrocarbon. Considering of all kinds of geological conditions, the authors believe that the hydrocarbon-bearing perspectives in southern continental marginal basins are superior to these northern continental marginal basins.