Abstract: By using the equation of the first law of thermodynamies and the equation of moisture continuity, the distributions of the atmospheric heat sources and the moisture sinks over South-cast Asia in the early summer of 1981 are computed.The relationships between the variation of the atmospheric heat sources and the meridional vertical circulation over this area are analysed and the differences in the atmospheric heat sources and the meridional circulation between the South China Sea and the Indo-China Peninsula are also analysed. It is discovered that, the meridional cell is closely associated with the distribution of the heat sources and sinks. After the establishment of the East Asia monsoon, the main heat source center is located over the northern the South China Sea, the heat sink is in the equatoral area, a strong ascending motion occues in the South China Sea and a descending motion appears in the south of equator. During the period of an active monsoon, the meridional cell over the South China Sea is stronger than the one over the Indo-China Peninsula. The atmospheric heat sources play an important role in the maintenance of the meridional cell.