The Diagnosis and treatment norms for colorectal cancer in China (2025 edition) has been revised based on the latest evidence-based medicine, domestic and international research, and clinical practice outcomes. In this article, we aim to make an interpretation of its core contents, primarily focusing on the following 3 major directions. (1) Better precise surgical treatment: refining the indications for local resection of early-stage cancer; emphasizing the principle of sphincter preservation in rectal cancer and introducing robotic surgery. (2) Better optimized comprehensive treatment: emphasizing the importance of magnetic resonance imaging examination for rectal cancer and determining the treatment pathway based on the position relative to the peritoneal reflection and tumor risk; clarifying immunotherapy as the core strategy for patients with mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR)/high microsatellite instability (MSI-H); promoting total neoadjuvant therapy and the “watch-and-wait (W&W)” strategy; expanding treatment for liver metastases, such as the “liver-first” approach. (3) Comprehensive empowerment by new technologies: highlighting 7 cutting-edge technologies, including liquid biopsy (e.g., circulating tumor DNA), fluorescence laparoscopy, and fibroblast activation protein inhibitor imaging, to improve diagnosis, surgery, radiotherapy, and precision drug therapy. By strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration, optimizing clinical pathways, and incorporating more new advancements, the 2025 edition aims to enhance clinicians’ understanding of both standardized treatment and cutting-edge trends, promoting standardization, precision, and humanization in colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment, thereby continuously improving therapeutic outcomes.