Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of sorafenib combined with capecitabine in Hui versus Han residents with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma( HCC) in Sanya,Hainan,China. Methods A total of 96 Hui and Han residents with advanced HCC took oral capecitabine 1500 mg / m2 twice daily for 14 days followed by a 7- day withdrawal,which was repeated at least twice; besides,sorafenib was given orally at a dose of 400 mg twice daily until tumor progression occurred. Comparison of continuous data between the two groups was made by t test,while comparison of categorical data was made by chi- square test. Results In the two groups of Hui and Han patients,the rates of alpha- fetoprotein reduction were 60. 9% and 40. 0%,respectively( χ2= 4. 173,P = 0. 041); the rates of serum ferritin reduction were 50. 0% and 30. 0%,respectively( χ2= 4. 007,P = 0. 027); the rates of tumor regression were 54. 3% and 34. 0% as shown by CT( χ2= 4. 030,P = 0. 045); the response rates were 32. 6% and 14. 0%,respectively( χ2= 4. 697,P = 0. 030). Survival analysis suggested the combination of sorafenib and capecitabine had provided a significantly higher overall survival rate in Hui patients than in Han patients( P< 0. 05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups( P > 0. 05). Conclusion In Sanya,a combination of sorafenib and capecitabine has better efficacy in Hui patients with advanced HCC than in Han patients,and the former have a higher overall survival rate.