The popularization of hybrid rice is the most effective way to increase food production. Hybrid rice breeding is the core technology for the development of hybrid rice, and, its methods are the key to determine the breeding efficiency. Based on achievements gained by authors on hybrid rice breeding in recent years, the paper reviews methods used in hybrid rice breeding with the purpose to sum up experience and to facilitate communication. The methods for determining the direction of hybrid rice breeding and the principles of establishing the breeding objectives are discussed, i.e. keeping in line with national economic structure and meeting social development demands, conforming to the law of market economy, entrepreneur profit, and future development needs. The principle of ‘moderation, harmony and excellent’ in hybrid rice breeding is proposed. The genetic differences between parents must be moderate, and all traits should be excellent and high harmony with human, with environment, as well as harmony among traits. It should be paid high attention to excellent trait selection on parents and hybrids. Hybrid rice breeding should be focused on some key traits, such as early growth and quick tillering, ideal plant type, lodging resistance, high seed setting rate, strong vigor at later stage and lower percentage of chalky grain, etc. Some important traits must be selected after full demonstration by artificial creating or taking advantage of natural condition. Breeding materials and test cross F1 should be planted less, while the combinations of variety comparative test should be planted more. More attention should be paid to the quality and accuracy of variety comparative test, as well as to the rules and standards of variety certification.