Country guide
China Business etiquette and meeting customs
Asia/Shanghai
What kind of meeting?
Strict punctuality
Arrive on time or a few minutes early — being late makes a poor impression.
Meeting Culture
Recommended duration60+ min
Communication StyleIndirect, relationship-focused
Greeting StyleLight handshake or nod
Daily Schedule
Work Hours09:00 – 18:00
Breakfast07:00 – 08:00
Lunch12:00 – 13:30
Dinner18:00 – 19:30
Sleep23:00 – 07:00
Tips for Meetings
For the kind of meeting you chose above.
Dress Code
Business formal
Tone
Formal, relationship-focused, indirect
- ·Guanxi (relationships) must be established before deals
- ·Exchange business cards with both hands and study them
- ·Banquet seating follows strict hierarchical rules
General Tips
- ·Guanxi (relationships) are critical for business
- ·Exchange business cards with both hands
- ·Avoid saying 'no' directly — listen for indirect refusals
- ·Banquets are important for building trust
Cultural Notes
- ·Lunch nap culture (午休)
- ·Single timezone for entire country
Meeting someone from China?
Find the best timeCultural information is for general guidance only and may not reflect every individual's practices.
See something inaccurate? Let us know