Abstract: Based upon the Hellinger-Reissner (H-R) mixed variational principle for three-dimensional elastic bodies, the modified H-R mixed variational theorem for magnetoelectroelastic bodies was established. The state-vector equation of magnetoelectroelastic plates was derived from the proposed theorem by performing the variational operations. To lay a theoretical basis of the semi-analytical solution applied with the magnetoelectroelastic plates， the state-vector equation for the discrete element in plane was proposed through the use of the proposed principle. Finally, it is pointed out that the modified H-R mixed variational principle for pure elastic, single piezoelectric or single piezomagnetic bodies are the special cases of the present variational theorem.

Key words: magnetoelectroelastic body, variational principle, laminated plates, state-vector equation, semi-analytical solution