China Market Insider The most important dates for businesspeople in China in 2025

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Asia Waypoint

Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

Which dates in China should you definitely keep in mind in 2025? We provide you with an overview.

The China business will once again face a number of things this year that are not yet predictable at the beginning of the year. From erratic government decisions in Washington to the newly awakened protectionism in Brussels to increasing "autarky" efforts in Beijing, much can be expected—although currently not at all plannable. It doesn't hurt to at least be prepared for the tax deadlines and holidays of the year in the People's Republic.

Spring Festival:

Again this year, almost all activities in China come to a standstill for at least eight legally mandated holidays. From January 28 to February 4, 2025, it is "Chunjie," the Spring Festival, whose significance in China is as great as if Christmas and New Year were combined in the West.

However, employers are expected to show a certain generosity with leave regulations in the weeks immediately before and after, as many Chinese embark on long journeys home to their families, and long-distance traffic reaches the limits of its capacity during this annual "migration" of the billion-strong population.

As compensation for this relatively long holiday, to slightly alleviate the burden on the economy, work will take place across China on Sunday, January 26, 2025, and Saturday, February 8, 2025.

Qingming Festival, also known as China's Day of the Dead or "Qingming Jie":

This time it falls on April 4 to 6, 2025. Chinese workers, especially those who had to mourn the loss of relatives in the previous year, may need to plan a long journey again, this time to the family graves.

Labor Day or "Laodong Jie":

From May 1 to 5, 2025, work will be paused to celebrate Labor Day – but as compensation, work will occur on Sunday, April 27, 2025.

Dragon Boat Festival or "Duanwu Jie":

This time it takes place from May 31 to June 2, 2025.

Moon Festival or "Zhongqiu Jie" and National Day or "Guoqing Jie":

The dates for the Moon Festival, when mooncakes are traditionally gifted to business partners and important clients (who often immediately re-gift them), are based on the traditional lunar calendar. This year, the Moon Festival will be celebrated on October 6, 2025.

This year, the Moon Festival coincides with the long autumn holiday starting from the National Day on October 1. The days from October 1 to 8, 2025, are public holidays.

As compensation and with regard to the gross national product, work will occur on Sunday, September 28, 2025, and on October 11, 2025, a Saturday. Unless the employer opts out, which also happens.

Other official holidays for certain groups:

• Women's Day: On March 8, 2025, women have a half-day off.

• Youth Day: Young Chinese aged 14 to 28 have a half-day off (school-free) on May 4, 2025.

• Children's Day: On June 1, 2025, children under 14 are celebrated and even more pampered and showered with gifts than usual. Single mothers hope for their employers' understanding if they appear slightly stressed.

The political calendar 2025:

Starting March 4, 2025, the annual plenary session of the National People's Congress takes place in the Great Hall of the People at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. It is expected to last just under a week again. Starting March 5, almost simultaneously, the Political Consultative Conference, a sort of advisory body, will convene.

Both together, the "two sessions" or "Liang Hui," are annually recurring major political events in the People's Republic, which heavily impact traffic and security measures in the Chinese capital. If your favorite cafe in the city center suddenly no longer offers outdoor seating, that's why.

Tax deadlines 2025:

• Annual audit for the fiscal year 2024: The mandatory "Audit Report" should ideally be submitted before April 30, 2025.

• Tax return for the reporting year 2024: By May 31, 2025. It's now mostly done online everywhere. However, if desired, one can still visit the tax office in person as in the past.

• Monthly tax payment periods: By the 15th of each month or a few days later if the deadline falls on a holiday or public holiday.

• Annual report to various government agencies: By June 30, 2025 (the "Many-in-one" reports at www.gsxt.gov.cn)

• Foreign exchange year-end closing: The dates vary depending on the company's location and must be inquired locally with the local authorities.

• End of the current fiscal year: December 31, 2025.

The most important trade fairs:

• The Canton Fair, in English "China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair)," will be held from April 15 to May 5, 2025, this time. Canton is now called Guangzhou. Note: The parallel online fair begins on March 16 and lasts for six months.

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  Date: 08.12.2025

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• The eighth "China International Import Expo (CIIE)", a major event that has become obligatory for many foreign companies in China, will open its doors from November 5 to 10, 2025, in Shanghai.

• The Shanghai Auto Show will be held from April 23 to May 2, 2025, in Shanghai.

• The "China Electronics Exhibition" or Electronica China will take place from April 15 to 17, 2025, also in Shanghai.

*Henrik Bork is Managing Director at Asia Waypoint, a consultancy agency specializing in China, based in Beijing. "China Market Insider" is a joint project of the Vogel Communications Group, Würzburg, and Jigong Vogel Media Advertising in Beijing.