Abstract:The regional tectonic background and recent GPS observation indicate that the Fujian coastal region of China mainland, the region of the Taiwan Strait and northern Taiwan island all show a generally homogenous horizontal motion with weak deformation. The historical earthquake records more than 800 years and modern instrumental data reveal that there is potential seismic risk in and around the Taiwan Strait region. Studies on the National Seismic Zoning Map of China (2001) demonstrate that the expected seismic risk in the northern part of the Taiwan Strait is lower than that in the middle and southern parts. The suggested northern route of the Taiwan Strait passage project seems to be relatively safe seismically.