Objective To systematically analyze the incidence and mortality characteristics of colorectal cancer (CRC) in China in 2022, so as to provide evidence-based proof for the prevention and control of CRC. Methods The CRC data published by the GLOBOCAN database and the China National Cancer Center in 2022 were collected and the incidence and mortality across different genders, age groups, and geographical regions were analyzed. Results In China, the age-standardized incidence rate (SIR) and age-standardized mortality rate (SMR) of CRC in males were 24.83×10^－5 and 10.87×10^－5, and the SIR and SMR in females were 15.97×10^－5 and 6.56×10^－5, respectively. Around the world, the SIR and SMR of CRC in males were 22.0×10^－5 and 9.90×10^－5, and SIR and SMR in females were 15.20×10^－5 and 6.50×10^－5, respectively. The SIR and SMR of CRC in Chinese males were higher than those in females (χ²＝10.037 and 9.994, P＝0.001 and 0.002), and the SIR and SMR in global males were also higher than those in females (χ²＝7.093 and 7.853, P＝0.013 and 0.011). However, there were no significant differences in SIR or SMR of male or female CRC between China and the world (all P＞0.05). The mortality of CRC in China exhibited an upward trend with the increase of age, particularly after the age of 40 years, with the number of deaths escalated markedly, and the mortality of males was notably higher compared with that of females. The peak mortality for males occurred at the ages of 70-74 years, and it demonstrated a declining trend thereafter. In contrast, the mortality for females continued to rise with age and eventually approached that of males. The regional distributions of CRC incidence and mortality were significantly different in China, with the SIR and SMR of CRC in urban areas being significantly higher than those in rural areas (21.71×10^－5 vs 18.49×10^－5, χ²＝8.037, P＝0.009; 9.02×10^－5 vs 8.17×10^－5, χ²＝5.669, P＝0.031). Conclusion The national prevention and control strategy for CRC should be optimized according to epidemic characteristics (such as age ≥40 years old, males and risk regions), so as to curb the rising trend of CRC incidence and mortality, reduce disease burden and improve social and public benefits.