Offset
The time difference between China Standard Time and Central European Time is 6 hours.
China Standard Time (CST) is ahead of Central European Time (CEST).
CST: UTC+8
CEST: UTC+2
Central European Time is currently observing daylight saving time; China Standard Time is not.
When to schedule
Business-hours overlap: 3 PM–5 PM in China Standard Time (9 AM–11 AM in Central European Time).
Both teams are in working hours during this window on weekdays.
Suggested time: 4:00 PM China Standard Time (10:00 AM Central European Time).
This window may shift by an hour during daylight saving time.
Public holidays in 2026
National public holidays can affect availability — a counterpart is likely off work on their own holidays, so it's worth planning meetings and deadlines around them.
China
- New Year's DayThu, Jan 1
- Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)Tue, Feb 17
- Labour DayFri, May 1
- Dragon Boat FestivalFri, Jun 19
- Mid-Autumn FestivalFri, Sep 25
- National DayThu, Oct 1
France
- New Year's DayThu, Jan 1
- Easter MondayMon, Apr 6
- Labour DayFri, May 1
- Victory in Europe DayFri, May 8
- Ascension DayThu, May 14
- Whit MondayMon, May 25
- Bastille DayTue, Jul 14
- Assumption DaySat, Aug 15
- All Saints' DaySun, Nov 1
- Armistice DayWed, Nov 11
- Christmas DayFri, Dec 25
About these zones
China Standard Time is also known as CST. To call China, dial +86.
Central European Time is also known as CET, or CEST. To call France, dial +33.
Central European Time is approximately 5,750 miles northwest of China Standard Time.
Quick reference
Full 24-hour conversion table — tap any time to open it in the converter.
| CST-CHINA | CET | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 am | 6:00 pm | -1 day |
| 1:00 am | 7:00 pm | -1 day |
| 2:00 am | 8:00 pm | -1 day |
| 3:00 am | 9:00 pm | -1 day |
| 4:00 am | 10:00 pm | -1 day |
| 5:00 am | 11:00 pm | -1 day |
| 6:00 am | 12:00 am | Same day |
| 7:00 am | 1:00 am | Same day |
| 8:00 am | 2:00 am | Same day |
| 9:00 am | 3:00 am | Same day |
| 10:00 am | 4:00 am | Same day |
| 11:00 am | 5:00 am | Same day |
| 12:00 pm | 6:00 am | Same day |
| 1:00 pm | 7:00 am | Same day |
| 2:00 pm | 8:00 am | Same day |
| 3:00 pm | 9:00 am | Same day |
| 4:00 pm | 10:00 am | Same day |
| 5:00 pm | 11:00 am | Same day |
| 6:00 pm | 12:00 pm | Same day |
| 7:00 pm | 1:00 pm | Same day |
| 8:00 pm | 2:00 pm | Same day |
| 9:00 pm | 3:00 pm | Same day |
| 10:00 pm | 4:00 pm | Same day |
| 11:00 pm | 5:00 pm | Same day |
Daylight saving time
Central European Time observes daylight saving time; China Standard Time does not. The offset between the two zones changes when Central European Time transitions: on Sunday, October 25, 2026, clocks fall back from CEST to CET.
See the daylight saving time page for transition dates across every time zone.
Daylight today
- Sunrise
- 4:51 AM
- Sunset
- 6:56 PM
- Day length
- 14h 5m
- Sunrise
- 5:50 AM
- Sunset
- 9:50 PM
- Day length
- 15h 59m
Daylight overlap: 7h 6m — 11:50 AM–6:56 PM in China Standard Time (5:50 AM–12:56 PM in Central European Time). Both locations are in daylight during this window.
Cities in these zones
Cities in China Standard Time
Cities in Central European Time
Browse all cities to see the current local time anywhere.
Airports in these zones
Airports in China Standard Time
- PVG
- SHA
- PEK
- PKX
- SZX
- CAN
- FUO
- CTU
- TFU
- TSN
Airports in Central European Time
- CDG
- LBG
- ORY
- MRS
- GNB
- LYS
- NCE
Related conversions
Common conversions
- What is 9:00 am CST-CHINA in CET?
- 9:00 am CST-CHINA is 3:00 am CET.
- What is 12:00 pm CST-CHINA in CET?
- 12:00 pm CST-CHINA is 6:00 am CET.
- What is 12:30 pm CST-CHINA in CET?
- 12:30 pm CST-CHINA is 6:30 am CET.
- What is 2:00 pm CST-CHINA in CET?
- 2:00 pm CST-CHINA is 8:00 am CET.
- What is 5:00 pm CST-CHINA in CET?
- 5:00 pm CST-CHINA is 11:00 am CET.
- What is 11:30 pm CST-CHINA in CET?
- 11:30 pm CST-CHINA is 5:30 pm CET.