Abstract: Objective 　To study the relationship between aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) gene polymorphism and the susceptibility of hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) . Methods 　Three hundred cases of HCC and 292 controls were genotyped for the ALDH2 polymorphisms by using polymerase chain reaction-rest riction fragment length polymorphism ( PCR-RFL P) method. Results 　The f requencies of ALDH2 variant genotype (ALDH₂ ^1*2/ ALDH₂²) in cases and cont rols was 50. 33 % and 47. 95 % respectively ( P = 0. 561) . There was no significant difference of ALDH2 genotype among Zhuang and Han groups in cases ( P > 0. 05) . The risk for liver cancer was 3. 34 times higher in alcoholics ( ≥3 times drinking per week) with ALDH2 * 2 genotype than cases carrying ALDH2 * 1 genotype while drinking less than 3 times per week (95 %CI 1. 75～6. 41) . The positive rates of HBsAg between cases and controls showed differences, much higher in cases (84. 67 %) than those in controls (10. 27 %) . Conclusion 　The genotype aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 in different ethnicity may not influence the risk of HCC. Frequently alcoholic consumption and HBV infection might increase risk for HCC among Guangxi residents carrying mutant ALDH2 genotypes.