Background Brief cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is an emerging treatment of schizophrenia in community settings; however, further trials are needed, especially in non-Western countries. Aims To test the effects of brief CBT for Chinese patients with schizophrenia in the community. Method A total of 220 patients with schizophrenia from four districts of Beijing were randomly assigned to either brief CBT plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU alone. Patients were assessed at baseline, post-treatment and during 6- and 12-month follow-ups by raters blinded to group allocation. Results At the post-treatment assessment and the 12-month follow-up, patients who received brief CBT showed greater improvement in overall symptoms, general psychopathology, insight and social functioning. 37.3% of those in the brief CBT plus TAU group experienced a clinically significant response, compared with only 19.1% of those in the TAU alone group (P=0.003). Conclusions Brief CBT has a positive effect on Chinese patients with schizophrenia in the community. Declaration of Interest None.