[1] The matches that were intended to be held on September 15 and 16, 2012 were suspended for a later date due to an international dispute between China and Japan over the Senkaku Islands.

[2] With Hangzhou Greentown having a Japanese manager and several Chinese demonstrations arising throughout China it was decided that the September 23, 2012 match against Liaoning Whowin should be played behind closed doors with the Xianghe National Football Training Base used as a neutral venue.

[3] Teams promoted from 2011 China League One Teams relegated to 2012 China League One The number of foreign players is restricted to five per CSL team, including a slot for a player from AFC countries.

Players from Hong Kong, Macau and Chinese Taipei are deemed to be native players in CSL.

Updated to games played on 3 November 2012Source: CSL data (in Chinese)Notes:† Teams played previous season in CL1.