[Objective] To study the impacts of vegetation restoration stage on ecosystem carbon stocks of red soil regions in Southern China, in order to provide theoretical support for establishing reasonable forest management mode in Pinus massoniana plantation. [Methods] We studied the changes of carbon stocks in plant and soil pools in bare land, Pinus massoniana plantations with different age (10, 20 and 30 years old), and natural secondary forests in Hetian Town, Changting County in Fujian Province. [Results] The restoration of P. massoniana plantations could significantly improve the ecosystem carbon stocks. Compared with bare land, the carbon stocks in 0-10, 20-30, and 30 years old P. massoniana plantations was increased by 2.80, 3.54 and 8.56 times, respectively, but still lower than that in natural secondary forest. The restoration of P. massoniana plantations could increase carbon stocks in the surface (0-10 cm) soil, but had no significant effect on the carbon stocks of deep soil. The increase rate of soil carbon storks was different at different vegetation restoration stages, showing a non-linear increase. [Conclusion] Vegetation restoration on the eroded red soils could improve ecosystem carbon stocks in Southern China, but soil C restoration in this region was a long-term and slow process. Thus, we should pay more attention to protect natural vegetation and avoid soil erosion induced by the vegetation deterioration.