The establishment of the Council of CFTC is approved by the CCP Committee of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China.

As the CFTC’s supreme body of decision-making, the Council’s major responsibility includes, (1) implementing the important guideline of the CCP Committee of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, (2) drawing up strategic development plan, conducting research and making decision on the important affairs of CFTC. The Council takes no participation in any specific business operation of CFTC.

The Council’s leading body consists of one Council Chairman, one vice Chairman and several Executive Members.

China Foreign Trade Centre, an institutional unit directly led by Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, is entirely in charge of organization, management and undertaking of China Import and Export Fair (also known as the Canton Fair).

Establish mid-term or long-term developing strategy for the Canton Fair; and draw up reforming program and carry it out.

Draw up concrete implementation plans for each session of the Canton Fair; Establish principles for organizing and recruiting exhibitors to the Canton Fair; and coordinate with local governmental departments in charge of foreign trade and I/E chambers of commerce, to fix matters concerned with Exhibition area, locations and booths for trading delegations and Exhibition halls.

Coordinate and organize fair affairs; and establish temporary managing organization of the Canton Fair.

In charge of invitation and reception of overseas visitors and delegations, as well as maintenance logistics and security service of the Canton Fair.

In charge of construction and management of information system of the Canton Fair.

In charge of maintenance, innovation, extension of the complex and other related estate of the Canton Fair.

Organize domestic enterprises to hold or attend overseas exhibitions, business discuss on meeting, and promotion meetings; host or undertake all kinds of domestic exhibitions and promotion meetings besides the Canton Fair, as the sponsor or conductor.

In charge of the management of the state-owned assets of China Foreign Trade Centre and its subordinate enterprises, for maintenance and increment of value of all the assets.

Subordinated to China Foreign Trade Centre, China Foreign Trade Centre (Group) handles business including: conducting all kinds of foreign exhibitions in China and Chinese exhibitions both at home and abroad; advertising; import and export business; tourism; hotel and restaurant  business etc.