The league is under the auspices of the Chinese Football Association and operated by the Chinese Professional Football League (CFL).

The top four teams from each group enter the promotion play-off after each regular season.

In 2011, China League Two 3rd-placed team faced 2011 China League One last-placed team for a play-off match.

Fujian Smart Hero which was the 3rd-placed team of 2011 China League Two has won this match against the 2011 China League One last-placed team Guizhou Zhicheng and earned a spot in the 2012 China League One.

In 2022, the policy will change, and the Chinese Super League and China League One will implement a "3 up, 3 down" policy in the 3 seasons.