“…An understanding of the Paleozoic relationships between these microcontinental massifs and the North China Craton (NCC) is important for furthering our knowledge of the tectonic evolution and timing of final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. Although recent studies have greatly enhanced our understanding of the Paleozoic evolution of the Paleo-Asian Ocean along the western segment of the northern margin of the NCC (Li et al, 2009;Li et al, 2014c;Ma et al, 2011;Xu et al, 2014;Yang et al, 2006;Zhang et al, 2014), less research has been conducted on the Paleozoic (especially late Paleozoic) tectonic evolution of the eastern segment of the northern margin of the NCC, and the sequence of tectonic events in the area remains controversial Pei et al, 2014;Wang et al, 2015b;Wang et al, 2015c;Xu et al, 2015). Some scholars, based on analyses of sedimentary sequences and paleontological evidence, have suggested that a passive continental margin existed along what is now the eastern segment of the northern margin of the NCC during the late Paleozoic (e.g., Hsu et al, 1991;Jia et al, 2004;Li, 1998;Xu et al, 2014;Zhang et al, 2008).…”