Fernando González was the defending champion in the singles, who failed in the quarterfinals against the German Björn Phau . In the final, Andy Roddick, second in the seeding list, won in three sets 6: 4, 6: 7, 6 , 6: 3 against the unset Israeli Dudi Sela , who reached his first ATP final. Roddick celebrated his 26th tournament victory with the win. In doubles, Rik De Voest and Ashley Fisher were successful in the previous year. Only Fisher appeared again with Bobby Reynolds and failed only in the final on the tournament winners Stephen Huss and Ross Hutchins , who prevailed 7: 5, 6: 4 and won their third and first title.
The field of participants in the single competition consisted of 28 players, that of the doubles competition consisted of 16 pairs. The four top seeded players in the singles each got a bye into the second round. The total prize money was $ 499,000; total financial liabilities were $ 524,000.
The qualification for the China Open 2008 took place from September 20th to 21st, 2008. Four qualifying places were played, which entitle them to participate in the main draw of the tournament.
At the China Open 2008 the following prize money and world ranking points were paid out or credited for reaching the respective round. Players who moved into the main draw via qualification received the specified qualification points in addition to those for reaching the respective round. Otherwise the amounts are not cumulative (prize money for the double competition per team).