Three major volcanic rock sequences in the P2β formation (Emeishan basalts) were sampled during a comprehensive study of the Late Permian volcanics associated with the Panxi paleorift in southwestern China. Two of the three sections—Emei and Tangfang are composed of continental flood basalts (CFB) while the third—Ertan is an alkalic center. Multi-element chemical analyses indicate a predominance of low-MgO transitional quartz tholeiites at Emei and Tangfang, whereas the Ertan suite ranges from high-MgO alkaline olivine basalts to rhombic porphyry trachytes and quartz-bearing aegerine-augite syenites. Consanguineity of the rocks from the three sections is suggested by consistently high TiC2, K2O, incompatible trace elements and uniformly fractionated REE patterns typical of alkalic compositions, but antypical of CFB.