Abstract: Maize is the first major food crop in China, which can be used for both grain and forage. Based on reviewing the domestic and international research on maize breeding technology, this study summarized the theoretical basis and Technical components of maize breeding technology system. The technical principles of constructing the system included two- group theory, hybrid yield gain and inbred line improvement synchronization, high density and stress tolerant breeding; four core components were construction of inbred line selected population by intra-group hybridization, heterotic combinations selection by inter-group cross, inbred line selection through artificially created high density and other stresses, and multi-location test. Based on the authors’breeding experience and related literature, several crucial issues maize breeders encountered, such as plant type, leaf, early maturity, lodging resistance, seed dehydration, disease resistance, population size of line selection and testcross were discussed preliminarily. At last, aiming at the problems existing in maize breeding in China, 4 aspects were highlighted and discussed: (1) to establish a commercial maize breeding system with Chinese characteristics, (2) to clarify the breeding objectives of different maize planting regions, (3) to pay attention to the utilization of germplasms from Europe and America, and (4) to change the technical route of maize breeding.