The Clements of the carbonate system (HCO3-, CO32-, CO2, ΣCO2 and PCO2) in the central South China Sea have been calculated by determining the pH values and total alkalinity of the seawater samples collected at 42 stations, combining simultaneously with the data of the temperatures, salinity and depths. The distributions of their characteristics have been briefly described and discussed. The saturation degrees (Ω) of calcite and aragonite in the studied area have also been evaluated. The ΩcaIc, and Ωarag. in the surface waters are about 5.8 and 3.9, respectively. The saturation depth is about 2200m for calcite and 1200m for aragonite. The lysocline in the studied area probably lies between 3000 m and 4000 m where the saturation degree of calcite is approximately 0.78.