The modification of commercial ultra-stable Y zeolites using citric acid and phosphoric acid was investigated systematically via a L 18 (3 8) orthogonal experiment. The pore structure, acid property and crystal structural of modified USY zeolites were characterized by a variety of means such as N 2 adsorption-desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, NH 3-temperature programmed desorption and X-ray diffraction. The optimal modification condition is found to be that the volume ratio of citric acid (0.3 mol/L) and phosphoric acid (0.3 mol/L) is 1.0, and the operation is performed at 100°C for 6 h. The as-synthesized sample presents an increased secondary pore volume up to 0.207 cm 3 /g which accounts for 42.9 % of the total pore volume, and appropriate acidity distribution as well as good crystallinity. In addition, the USY obtained by 1.0 L scale-up modification possesses a secondary pore volume of 0.210 cm 3 /g which accounts for 42.4 % of the total pore volume, showing no obvious scale-up effects. Furthermore, the hydrothermal stability of the modified samples meets the requirements of commercial catalysts for hydrocracking. Performance evaluation was carried out on a 200 mL fixedbed single stage hydrogenation unit using Daqing VGO as feedstock. The 140-370°C middle distillate yield is 66.09 %, and middle distillate selectivity can reach up to 80.45 %. Compared with commercial catalyst, the yield and selectivity are increased by 5.67 and 4.07 %, respectively.