BackgroundFew psychosocial interventions have been developed in China that are suitable for use in the community.AimsTo evaluate the effectiveness of the Chinese version of the Community Re-Entry Module (CRM; a module of a standardised, structured social skills training programme devised at the University of California, Los Angeles) for patients with schizophrenia compared with standard group psychoeducation.MethodPatients with schizophrenia (n=103) were randomly allocated to CRM or psychoeducation groups and followed up for 24 months. Outcome measures included social functioning, psychiatric symptoms, insight, re-employment, relapse and re-hospitalisation rates.ResultsThe CRM group significantly improved in terms of social functioning, insight and psychiatric symptoms compared with the psychoeducation group; the re-employment rate was significantly higher and relapse and rehospitalisation rates were significantly lower in the CRM group.ConclusionsThe findings support the feasibility and effectiveness of CRM as a psychosocial intervention for Chinese patients with schizophrenia in the community.