The basic functions of the CSRC are outlined below:

• To establish a centralized supervisory system for securities and futures markets and to assume direct leadership over securities and futures market supervisory bodies.
• To strengthen the supervision over securities and futures business, stock and futures exchange markets, the listed companies, fund management companies investing in the securities, securities and futures investment consulting firms, and other intermediaries involved in the securities and futures business.
• To increase the abilities to prevent and handle financial crisis.
  
• To organize the drafting of laws and regulations for securities markets. To study and formulate the principles, policies and rules related to securities markets. To formulate development plans and annual plans for securities markets. To direct, co-ordinate, supervise and examine matters related to securities in various regions and relevant departments. To direct, plan and co-ordinate test operations of futures market.
• To exercise centralized supervision of securities business.

The major responsibilities of the CSRC are outlined below:

• Studying and formulating policies and development plans regarding securities and futures markets; drafting relevant laws and regulations on securities and futures markets; and working out relevant rules on securities and futures markets;
• Supervising securities and futures markets and exercising vertical power of authority over regional and provincial supervisory institutions of the market;
• Overseeing the issuance, trading, custody and settlement of equity shares, convertible bonds, and securities investment funds; approving the listing of corporate bonds; and supervising the trading activities of listed government and corporate bonds;
• Supervising the listing, trading and settlement of domestic futures contracts; and monitoring domestic institutions engaged in overseas futures businesses in accordance with relevant regulations;
• Supervising the behavior of listed companies and their shareholders who are liable for relevant information disclosure in securities markets;
• Supervising securities and futures exchanges and their senior management in accordance with relevant regulations, and securities associations in the capacity of the competent authorities;
• Supervising securities and futures companies, securities investment fund managers, securities registration and settlement companies, futures settlement institutions, and securities and futures investment consulting institutions; approving in conjunction with the People's Bank of China, the qualification of fund custody institutions and supervising their fund custody business; formulating and implementing rules on the qualification of senior management for the above-mentioned institutions; and granting qualification of the people engaged in securities and futures-related business;
• Supervising direct or indirect issuance and listing of shares overseas by domestic enterprises; supervising the establishment of securities institutions overseas by domestic institutions; and supervising the establishment of domestic securities institutions by overseas organizations;
• Supervising information disclosure and proliferation related to securities and futures and being responsible for the statistics and information resources management for securities and futures markets;
• Granting, in conjunction with relevant authorities, the qualification of law firms, accounting firms, asset appraisal firms, and professionals in these firms, engaged in securities and futures intermediary businesses, and supervising their relevant business activities;
• Investigating and penalizing activities violating securities and futures laws and regulations;
• Managing the foreign relationships and international cooperation affairs in the capacity of the competent authorities; and
• Any other duties as commissioned by the State Council.