Hepatocellular carcinoma is a highly prevalent malignant tumor worldwide, and its mortality rate remains persistently high, making it a major threat to human health and life. Recently, China updated its guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, releasing the “Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer (2026 Edition)”. This article provides an updated interpretation of this guideline and conducts a systematic comparison with authoritative domestic and international guidelines published between 2023 and 2026, including those from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the European Association for the Study of the Liver, and the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer (2024 Edition). The Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer (2026 Edition) significantly elevates the role of systemic therapy, emphasizing comprehensive treatment aimed at surgical resection (translational therapy, neoadjuvant therapy, and adjuvant therapy). Significant progress has also been made in the combination of local therapy with systemic therapy, as well as in first- and second-line treatment regimens for advanced disease. At the same time, the study compares and analyzes the similarities and differences among various guidelines regarding screening, diagnosis, and treatment decisions, aiming to provide a reference and guidance for standardized and personalized clinical diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in China.