Guests should arrive on time. Punctuality is a virtue in China. Banquets and business meetings are scheduled to start and finish on time, and the Western concept of “fashionably late” is not understood. If an event is scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm, for example, then arrive a few minutes early or at 6:00 pm sharp. To arrive later would be considered rude. Just as they start on time, banquets also end on time. If a banquet is scheduled to end at 8:30 pm, the host should stand up and close the event at 8:30 pm sharp. It is considered rude to stay late or keep others at the banquet or meeting past the designated ending time. 

Timing is Everything