Abstract: The nearshore subaqueous fans are widespread in many Mesozoic and Cenozoic fault lake basins in eastern China. There has been considerable debate concerning the nomenclature of nearshore subaqueous fans for a long time. This paper presents a summary of the nomenclature and classification and model for the formation of the nearshore subaqueous fans in China, with the emphasis on the division of sedimentary facies belts and reservoir potential of the nearshore subaqueous fans. The main factors eontmlling the development and reservoir potential of the fan sandstone and conglomerate bodies are discussed, and oil- and gas-bearing sedimentary mierofacies types and oil pool types are described.