China
Asia · 18 specs
Direct Answer
China (CN / CHN / 156) operates on a 220 V / 50 Hz electrical grid using GB 2099.1 (Type A, Type C, and Australian-style Type I) sockets. Traffic drives on the right (RHT). The official currency is the Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY, ¥), country calling code is +86, emergency dispatch is 110 (Police) / 119 (Fire) / 120 (Ambulance), and paper standard is GB/T 148 A4.
Source: SAC (Standardization Administration of China) / GB 2099 / MIIT / ISO 3166-1 / China Post · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Official English Name | People's Republic of China ISO 3166-1 |
| Local Endonym | 中华人民共和国 (Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó) |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2 | CN |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-3 | CHN |
| ISO 3166-1 Numeric / UN M49 | 156 UN M49 (Code 142) |
| Country Calling Code | +86 MIIT (ITU-T E.164) |
| International Exit Code (IDD) | 00 |
| Internet ccTLD | .cn (.中国) CNNIC Registry |
| Vehicle Registration Code | RC Blue/Green Provincial Plate |
| National Currency (ISO 4217) | Renminbi Yuan (CNY, ¥ / 元) 10 Jiao (角) = 100 Fen (分) |
| Mains Electricity Standard | 220 V (±10%), 50 Hz GB/T 12325 / State Grid |
| Electrical Plug Sockets | Type A, Type C & Type I (GB 2099.1 Dual Combination) 10 A / 16 A, 250 V |
| Road Traffic Driving Side | Right-Hand Traffic (RHT / LHD) Road Traffic Safety Law |
| Primary Measurement System | Metric (SI) with traditional Jin units in markets GB 3100 Standard |
| Standard Office Paper Format | GB/T 148 A4 (210 × 297 mm) Standard |
| Consolidated Emergency Number | 110 (Police) / 119 (Fire) / 120 (Medical) / 122 (Traffic) Direct Service Dispatch |
| Postal Code Regex / Format | 6 Digits (NNNNNN, e.g. 100000 Beijing) China Post Standard |
| Primary Time Zone | UTC+8 (CST–Beijing Time) Single national time zone (No DST) |
Electrical Grid, Voltage & Plug Compatibility
- Nominal Grid Parameters: Operates on a single-phase standard of 220 V (±10%), 50 Hz.
- Plug & Socket Hardware: Type A, Type C & Type I (GB 2099.1 Dual Combination). Uses Type I inverted V-prong sockets (compatible with Australian/New Zealand or Chinese/Argentine configurations).
- International Traveler Guidance: Devices operating on 100–240 V (smartphones, laptops) require only a mechanical pin adapter. Single-voltage appliances from differing voltage regions require a certified step-down/step-up power transformer.
Telecommunications, Dialing & Emergency Dispatch
- International Dialing: The country calling code is +86. Outbound international calls from within the country require dial prefix 00 followed by the destination country code.
- Emergency Dispatch: Consolidated emergency services are reached at 110 (Police) / 119 (Fire) / 120 (Medical) / 122 (Traffic). Calls are automatically routed to local public safety answering points with emergency vehicle dispatch.
Transportation, Driving Standards & Road Regulations
- Traffic Flow: Road traffic drives on the right (RHT) with Left-Hand Drive (LHD) vehicles.
- Standard Speed Limits: General regulatory speed limits default to 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up urban and residential zones, 80–100 km/h (50–62 mph) on undivided rural roads, and 110–130 km/h (68–81 mph) on grade-separated divided motorways/expressways (unless lower local limits are posted).
- Safety Requirements: Mandatory seatbelt compliance for all occupants, zero-distraction handheld mobile phone bans while driving, and mandatory in-vehicle warning triangles.
Commerce, Currency & Document Standards
- Official Currency: Legal tender is the Renminbi Yuan (CNY, ¥ / 元).
- Document & Paper Standards: Standard office printing, official government gazettes, and legal filings strictly utilize GB/T 148 A4 (210 × 297 mm). Standard business correspondence pairs with standard business envelopes.
- National Time Zone: Regulated under UTC+8 (CST–Beijing Time).
Postal Addressing & Administrative Divisions
- Postal Architecture: Postal delivery utilizes 6 Digits (NNNNNN, e.g. 100000 Beijing).
- Standard Address Format: Structured in standardized hierarchy: Recipient Name → Street Address / Building Unit → Postal Code + City/Town → Province/State → People's Republic of China.