The top-seeded American, who has now won 73 matches in 2013, raced through the opening set hitting 17 winners and landing 71 per cent of her first serves in a dominant all-court display.
But former world No 1 Jankovic, who was playing in her first WTA final since 2011 in Cincinnati, broke in the third game of the next set after Williams pulled up clutching her troubled back, which hindered her semi-final win.
Bizarrely, it was the Serb who took an injury timeout, and quickly lost all her momentum when she returned as the 32-year-old reeled off five games in a row for her second success to prevail in one hour 28 minutes in Beijing.
"I'm really excited - I didn't think I'd win this tournament starting out, so
I'm really happy to be here holding the trophy," Williams said on court after capturing her 56th WTA Tour title.
"I really love tennis so much and it's fans like the ones here in China who
are so exciting to come to. The fans make me want to play, and they're so great here, so coming here is such a great opportunity."
Meanwhile, Jankovic acknowledged she had been well beaten by the 17-time major singles winner.
"Serena was just too good today, and big congratulations to her," said the 28-year-old.
Williams' power hitter has already secured the year-end world No 1 ranking, and last month became the first woman to surpass $9 million in prize money in a single season.
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