China Standard Time

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about CST, daylight saving, and how to handle it in software. Can't find what you need? Email [email protected].

Does China use daylight saving time?

No. Mainland China last used daylight saving from 1986 to 1991, and Macau in 1979. Since then the whole region has stayed on UTC+08:00 all year.

Why does the whole of China share one time zone?

Although China stretches across five geographical time zones, it uses a single standard time nationwide. This simplifies governance, transport, and broadcasting, but means local solar time can differ widely from clock time in western regions.

How does CST relate to Hong Kong and Singapore?

Hong Kong and Singapore also sit at +08:00 and do not observe DST, making them clock‑identical to CST year‑round. This eases real‑time collaboration across the region.

Are Macau and Shanghai officially in the same zone?

Yes. Macau and Shanghai both use CST at UTC+08:00 without daylight saving, so their clocks always match.

When did China last change its standard offset?

Mainland China’s clocks last changed on 15 September 1991, when its 1986–1991 daylight saving period ended; Macau’s last change was on 21 October 1979. Both have stayed on UTC+08:00 since.

How many time‑zone entries does CST have?

Two: Macau and Shanghai, which represents mainland China. Both stay on UTC+08:00 all year.

Will CST ever adopt daylight saving?

There are no current plans. The region has no scheduled DST transition, and the fixed offset is unlikely to change soon given how deeply it’s embedded in daily life and regional schedules.