The study of deep structure and tectonics of the Earth and continental dynamics occupies an important position in the geophysical field. Earth's interior is a formational and evolutional site of resources and energy sources and a place of origin of earthquake hazards. It has involved progress and achievements of many international disciplines, thus ceaselessly deepening the understanding of the earth itself, especially the exchange of substance and energy and the dynamic process within the spheres and layers of the Earth's interior. Based on the review of major achievements in the study of deep structure and tectonics in China during the 20th century, particularly in the latter half of the 20th century, and the global trend in this field, this paper discusses the leading direction of the development in the early and middle 21st century and sets forth some strategic issues.This paper focuses the following six problems: (1) The aim, theme and objective of the research on the deep structure of the Earth and continental dynamics; (2) The complicacy of the crust and upper mantle disclosed by deep seismic sounding; (3) Large detachment structures in the lithosphere and the deep environment for the "gestation" of earthquakes; (4) Distribution of interior velocity and anisotropy; (5) Earth's deep structure, tectonics and continental dynamics; (6) Focal points of the development strategy for the study of Earth's interior and continental dynamics in the early and middle 21st century.