Time in China

The People's Republic of China spans with their enormous extent the longitude of five time zones. Officially, however, is the entire geographical region of China, including the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and the Republic of China in the same zone (UTC 8) assigned.

Time zone names

Although all public bodies in the region to work with the same time, a distinction is made ​​historical and political reasons between different time standards with different names:

  • In the mainland of China, under the Administration of the People 's Republic of China, the Beijing standard time - period or Chinese standard time is called. A summer time was applied from 1986 until 1991.
  • The territory under the influence of the Republic of China, so for example, the islands of Taiwan, Penghu, Quemoy and Matsu is located in the Chung Yuan Standard Time zone ( UTC 8), which is also known as the national standard time or Taiwan time.
  • In Hong Kong, the Hong Kong time zone time is called.
  • In Macao, the Macao - term standard time is in use.

History

Time zones were officially introduced into China for the first time in 1912. The country namely GMT 5.5, GMT 6, GMT 7, GMT 8 and GMT 8.5 was divided into five zones, divided. Previously, there was no fixed convention and the timing was dependent on astronomical observations in the capitals of the dynasties.

According to the Chinese civil war in 1949, the Chinese Communist Party took power in mainland China. The earlier ruling Kuomintang moved to Taipei and practiced there control over Taiwan and other islands. The Communist People's Republic of China led a common time zone ( UTC 8) and for the total surface occupied territory. The Kuomintang in the Republic of China ( Taiwan) put this UTC 8 as a time base firmly. In other words, there were two different political systems, but both used a common time zone.

Time Zone Taiwan since 1949

Some advocates of Taiwan independence have suggested Taiwan time by one hour to present to thereby draw attention to Taiwan's independence from China. The opponents of this proposal argue that it instead refers to the Japanese colonialism, as the Japanese time is also one hour prior to the Chinese.

Time zone of Hong Kong and Macao

From the mid-19th century to 1997 and 1999 were Hong Kong and Macao colonies by the United Kingdom and Portugal respectively.

In the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region within the People's Republic of China all year applies UTC 8. Thus, Hong Kong has the same time as the rest of China. 1904 Greenwich Mean Time was established as a base. UTC is used as a standard since 1972. Prior to the local time by astronomical observations at the Hong Kong Observatory using a 6 -inch Lee Equatorial and a 3-inch Transit Circle was found.

The Macau Standard Time is the time standard in the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. As in the rest of China is valid all year round UTC 8. Similar to Hong Kong, there were in the past summer. However, because of the latitude of Macau it is unnecessary.

Time jump on the border with Afghanistan

Because of the universal time for all of China, and for the western provinces, there is a case that a traveler who crosses the border from China to Afghanistan, must reset the clock to 3.5 hours. This value is nowhere else reaches at any time zone boundary. In practice, however, this fact plays no significant role so far as Afghanistan to the Wakhan corridor has only a 56- km-long border with China, which also leads over a mountain pass and can be crossed only with donkeys and other pack animals.

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