country-china

Apps & Automation

People's Republic of China architectural code and regulatory reference. Covers the GB (Guojia Biaozhun -- National Standard) series of mandatory codes including GB 50352-2019 Civil Buildings Unified Design Standard (replaces 2005), GB 50016-2014 (2018 ed.) Fire Protection Design of Buildings, GB 51251-2017 Smoke Control + Prevention, GB 50045 (legacy high-rise fire), GB 50011-2010 Seismic Design (with 2016 amendments), GB 50009-2012 Building Structural Loads, GB 55015-2021 General Code for Building Energy + Renewable Energy, GB 50189-2015 Public Building Energy Design, JGJ 26-2018 + JGJ 75-2012 + JGJ 134-2010 Residential Energy Design (by climate zone), GB 50763-2012 Code for Design Accessibility, GB 50352 civil building, plus the supplementary JGJ (Industry Standard) codes. Includes the five thermal climate zones per GB 50176-2016 (Severe Cold, Cold, Hot Summer Cold Winter, Hot Summer Warm Winter, Temperate), the eight seismic intensity zones (degree 6-9), the sunlight rights (Rizhao) regulation governing residential setbacks, DB local supplements (DB11 Beijing, DGJ08 Shanghai, DBJ Guangdong + Guangxi etc.), Hong Kong SAR distinct regulation (Buildings Department BD HK BO Cap 123 + PNAPs + ATCs), Macao separately, and the China Sponge City Program, Green Building Label (3-star China Green Building Evaluation Standard), and the Construction Engineering Quality Management Regulations.

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Country: People's Republic of China

Architectural code and regulatory reference for projects in mainland China. Hong Kong SAR has a distinct regulatory regime briefly summarised at Section 12 (different code system, English language, Common Law tradition). Macao SAR also distinct. Taiwan is not covered here.

Activate this skill on any Chinese city reference (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xi'an, Suzhou, etc.), CNY/RMB/Yuan currency, mention of "GB 50016"/"GB 50352"/"GB 50011"/"JGJ"/"DB11"/"DGJ08", or Chinese architectural terminology (容积率 yongji-lv, 建筑密度 jianzhu-midu, 日照 rizhao, 抗震 kangzhen, 防火 fanghuo).

1. Regulatory Hierarchy

China operates as Archetype D (Centralised National + Strong-Form Mandatory Clauses). National GB codes are mandatory throughout the country; local DB supplements may only be more stringent, never less.

1.1 Authority Stack

LEVEL 1 -- NATIONAL
  Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD, Zhufang he Chengxiang Jianshe Bu)
    -- primary building authority
    + State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) -- approves standards
    + Standardization Administration of China (SAC) -- standards body
  Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM, Yingji Guanli Bu) -- fire approvals
    (transferred from Public Security Fire Department in 2018)
  Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE)
  National Energy Administration (NEA) -- energy policy
  Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) -- industrial
  China Disabled Persons' Federation (Canlianhui) -- accessibility policy

LEVEL 2 -- PROVINCE (sheng) + AUTONOMOUS REGION + MUNICIPALITY DIRECTLY UNDER CENTRAL GOVT
  4 Municipalities: Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing
  23 Provinces (Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, etc.)
  5 Autonomous Regions (Guangxi, Tibet, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang)
  2 SARs (Hong Kong, Macao) -- own systems
    Each issues:
    DB Local Standards (e.g., DB11 Beijing, DGJ08 Shanghai, DBJ Guangxi 45, DB Guangdong 44, DB Zhejiang 33)
    Provincial Construction Department (Sheng Jianshe Ting)
    Provincial Fire Department (now Yingji Ting)

LEVEL 3 -- PREFECTURE / CITY
  Local Construction Bureau (Jianshe Ju)
  Planning Bureau (Guihua Ju, now usually merged with Natural Resources Bureau Ziyuan Ju)
  Emergency Management Bureau (Yingji Guanli Ju) -- former Fire Department
  Land + Resources Bureau (Guotu Ju, now Natural Resources Bureau)
  Environmental Protection Bureau (Huanbao Ju)

LEVEL 4 -- DISTRICT / COUNTY
  Smaller cities + counties -- delegated authority from prefecture

LEVEL 5 -- PROJECT
  Construction Engineering Planning Permit (Jianshe Gongcheng Guihua Xuke Zheng) from Planning
  Construction Permit (Shigong Xuke Zheng) from Construction Bureau
  Construction-Engineering Quality Supervision (Zhiliang Jiandu) from Construction Quality Office
  Fire approval (Xiaofang Shenpi) from Emergency Management Bureau
  Inspection by accredited testing institutes

1.2 GB Code Type Classification

Codes are classified by mandatory level:

GB Mandatory (Qiangzhi Xing) -- printed in red -- legally binding, must comply; deviation requires special approval
GB Recommended (Tuijian Xing) -- printed in black -- advisory; can be followed but not legally binding
JGJ Industry Standards -- MOHURD industry standards, generally recommended but commonly adopted
DB Local Standards -- provincial/municipal; may only be more stringent than national GB
DBJ -- Local Building Standards (subset)

A single project must comply with the strictest applicable provision across these layers.

1.3 Construction Drawing Review (Shigong Tu Shencha)

Distinct Chinese process: before construction can begin, all construction drawings must be reviewed by an accredited Construction Drawing Review Institute (Shigong Tu Shencha Jigou) -- private body certified by provincial government. They check compliance with all applicable GB/DB codes. Review takes typically 15-30 days, longer for complex projects.

2. Building Code Core Requirements

2.1 GB 50352-2019 Civil Buildings Unified Design Standard

The "constitution" of Chinese building design. Replaces 2005 version. Defines:

Civil Building (Minyong Jianzhu) Classification:
- Residential (Juzhu Jianzhu)
- Public Building (Gonggong Jianzhu) -- offices, commercial, hotels, hospitals, schools, etc.
Building Heights:
- Low-rise residential: 1-3 storeys
- Multi-storey residential: 4-6 storeys
- Mid-rise residential: 7-9 storeys
- High-rise residential: ≥10 storeys OR ≥28 m
- High-rise public building: > 24 m
- Super-high-rise: > 100 m

2.2 GB 50352 General Provisions

Floor-to-floor height: residential 2.8-3.0 m; office 3.6-4.5 m; hospital 4.0-4.5 m; commercial 4.5+ m
Net ceiling height (Jingkong Gao): residential 2.4 m min; corridor 2.1 m min
Stair: width 1.10 m residential, 1.20 m public; max riser 0.18 m, min going 0.26 m
Door clear width: 800 mm general, 1000 mm main entrance public
Setback to road red line: per municipal Detailed Regulation Plan
Setback to property line: per municipal regulation; typically 3-12 m

2.3 Yongji-lv (容积率) -- FAR Equivalent

Yongji-lv = total above-grade GFA / lot area
Jianzhu Midu (建筑密度) = building footprint / lot area (similar to coverage)
Both controlled by Konngzhi Xing Xiangxi Guihua (Detailed Regulation Plan) for each plot
Typical residential yongji-lv: 1.0-3.5; commercial 4.0-8.0; CBD towers higher

2.4 Sunlight Rights (Rizhao Quan, 日照权)

Distinctive Chinese regulation: every residential dwelling must receive a specified number of hours of unobstructed sunlight on the worst day of winter (大寒 Da Han, around 20 January), measured at the lowest occupied window. Targets:

Climate Zone	Required Sunlight Hours (mid-winter Da Han)
Severe Cold (Zone I)	≥3 h
Cold (Zone II)	≥3 h
Hot Summer Cold Winter (Zone III)	≥2 h
Hot Summer Warm Winter (Zone IV)	≥1 h or local rule
Temperate (Zone V)	≥2 h

This drives Chinese urban form: long parallel slab blocks (north-south or oriented), substantial spacing between blocks, distinct from Western tower-on-podium. Calculation per GB 50180-2018 + local rules.

2.5 Setbacks Between Buildings (Jianzhu Jianju, 建筑间距)

For residential blocks, minimum distance between facing facades = function(building height + use + sunlight ratio).
Common rule of thumb: distance = 1.0 - 1.3 × north building height in Cold zone (more for higher latitude)
Local DB specifies exact formula

2.6 Height & Use Classification (GB 50352 + GB 50016)

Building Height	Classification	Implications
< 24 m (≤ 10 storey roughly)	Low/Multi-storey	Standard rules
24-100 m	High-rise (Gao Ceng)	GB 50016 high-rise rules; sprinklered above 27 m residential or 24 m public
> 100 m	Super-High-Rise (Chao Gao Ceng)	Additional rules; structural performance review
> 250 m	Super-Tall	Special structural performance review by national experts

3. Fire Safety (GB 50016 + GB 51251)

3.1 GB 50016-2014 (2018 Edition) -- "Code for Fire Protection Design of Buildings"

The single most-cited code on Chinese projects. Major 2018 amendment post the SCMP-reported high-rise fires. Replaces older legacy codes including GB 50045-95 (high-rise specific).

Structure:

Ch. 1 General
Ch. 2 Terminology
Ch. 3 Production + Storage Buildings (industrial)
Ch. 4 Hazardous Materials Storage + Use
Ch. 5 Civil Buildings -- the most-used chapter; fire-resistance, compartmentation, egress for all civil buildings
Ch. 6 Building Construction (combustibility, materials)
Ch. 7 Building Equipment
Ch. 8 Active Fire Protection Systems
Ch. 9 Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning
Ch. 10 Electrical
Ch. 11 Wood-Frame Buildings
Ch. 12 Existing Buildings
Annexes A-F

3.2 Civil Building Classification by Fire Hazard (GB 50016 Ch. 5)

Category	Examples
Class I High-Rise (Yiji Gao Ceng)	Hospitals, broadcasting + telecom centres (over 50 m), >100 m public, large train station, conference, exhibition
Class II High-Rise (Erji Gao Ceng)	Most office, hotel, commercial high-rise; >50 m residential; >24 m public general
High-Rise Residential	All residential ≥ 27 m -- with special sub-categories at 54 m, 100 m, 200 m thresholds
Multi-Storey	Buildings < 24 m public OR < 27 m residential

3.3 Fire-Resistance Class (Naohuo Dengji)

Class	Description
First Class (Yiji)	Non-combustible structural members; 3 h frame; 1.5 h floors
Second Class (Erji)	Non-combustible; 2.5 h frame; 1 h floors
Third Class (Sanji)	Mixed; 2 h frame
Fourth Class (Siji)	Combustible structure tolerated; 0.5 h frame

High-rise (Class I + II) must be at least First Class. Residential mid-rise often Second Class.

3.4 Egress (GB 50016-2014 Ch. 5)

Parameter	Value
Max travel distance (residential >9 storey)	40 m (sprinklered); 25 m unsprinklered
Max travel distance (office sprinklered)	40 m one-direction; 80 m two-direction
Max travel distance (hospital sprinklered)	30 m
Max travel distance (assembly sprinklered)	30 m
Min corridor width residential	1.2 m (mid-rise); 1.4 m (high-rise)
Min corridor width office mid-rise	1.4 m
Min stair width residential	1.1 m
Min stair width public mid-rise	1.2 m
Min stair width public high-rise	1.4 m
Min door clear width	0.90 m residential, 1.0 m public
Max compartment area residential (Class I high-rise)	1500 m2 per floor sprinklered
Max compartment area public Class I (sprinklered)	2500 m2 (per fire-resistant compartment)

3.5 Sprinklers (GB 50084-2017)

Mandatory for high-rise residential ≥ 54 m (or 100 m per latest amendment)
Mandatory for high-rise public buildings ≥ 24 m
Mandatory for hospitals, hotels, schools above certain scales
Mandatory for underground spaces

3.6 Smoke Control (GB 51251-2017)

Dedicated code for smoke control + smoke prevention. Required for:

Atriums
Underground spaces
Long corridors > 20 m without natural ventilation
All compartment areas > 100 m2 without natural ventilation

Specifies mechanical extract rates, makeup air, pressurization, smoke barriers, dampers.

3.7 External Cladding (GB 50016-2014 Section 5.5)

Post-2010s fires (multiple in Shanghai, Urumqi, Shenyang):

High-rise residential ≥ 50 m: cladding must be Class A non-combustible (GB 8624-2012)
High-rise public buildings: same
Non-high-rise but ≥ 24 m: Class B1 acceptable but increasingly Class A preferred
Insulation behind cladding: separate fire-rating; Class A non-combustible required in most high-rise

3.8 Refuge Floors (Bi Nan Ceng)

For super-high-rise:

Public buildings > 100 m: refuge floor every 15 storeys (or 50 m vertical interval)
Residential > 100 m: refuge floor every 15 storeys
Refuge floor: not used for occupancy; sized for evacuation capacity; ventilated to outside; protected fire doors

4. Energy Code

4.1 GB 55015-2021 -- General Code for Building Energy + Renewable Energy

Highest-level energy code, replacing fragments of older codes. Applies to all civil buildings nationally. Co-exists with detailed prescriptive codes below.

4.2 GB 50189-2015 -- Public Buildings Energy Conservation

Detailed prescriptive code for offices, hotels, hospitals, large commercial. Sets envelope U-values + HVAC efficiency + lighting power density by climate zone.

4.3 Residential Energy by Zone

JGJ 26-2018 -- Severe Cold + Cold Zone residential (north -- Beijing, Harbin, Tianjin, Shenyang)
JGJ 134-2010 -- Hot Summer Cold Winter Zone (central -- Shanghai, Wuhan, Chongqing, Nanjing, Hangzhou)
JGJ 75-2012 -- Hot Summer Warm Winter Zone (south -- Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Haikou)

Each defines envelope U-values + window SHGC by climate sub-zone, building shape coefficient, and floor area.

4.4 Climate Zones (GB 50176-2016)

Five primary thermal climate zones:

Zone	HDD18 / CDD26	Cities
I -- Severe Cold	HDD18 > 6000; CDD26 < 90	Harbin, Hohhot, Urumqi, Shenyang
II -- Cold	3800 < HDD18 ≤ 6000	Beijing, Tianjin, Xi'an, Lanzhou, Yinchuan, Datong
III -- Hot Summer + Cold Winter (HSCW)	700 ≤ HDD18 ≤ 2000; 40 ≤ CDD26 ≤ 110	Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan, Chongqing, Chengdu, Hefei, Jinan
IV -- Hot Summer + Warm Winter (HSWW)	HDD18 < 700; CDD26 > 100	Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanning, Haikou, Hong Kong, Macao
V -- Temperate	HDD18 ≤ 2000; CDD26 ≤ 10	Kunming, Lhasa (special), Guiyang, Xichang

(Plus Zone VI -- alpine -- not commonly built in.)

4.5 U-Value Targets (JGJ 26-2018 Severe Cold + Cold residential)

Element	Severe Cold (I)	Cold (II)	HSCW (III)
Roof	0.20-0.30	0.30-0.40	0.50-0.80
Exterior wall	0.25-0.40	0.40-0.55	0.80-1.50
Floor (slab)	0.30	0.45	--
Window (Uw)	2.0	2.5	2.5-3.0
Window SHGC (cooling-dominant SHGC limit; heating-dominant fixed by lower)	0.50 (winter)	0.45	0.40-0.45

(Targets indicative; actual depend on shape factor + floor count + orientation per current code.)

4.6 Green Building Label (Lujian Biaoshi)

China's national green rating per GB/T 50378-2019 "Assessment Standard for Green Building":

One Star (Yi Xing)
Two Star (Liang Xing)
Three Star (San Xing) -- highest, comparable to LEED Gold-Platinum equivalent

Assessment categories: safety + durability, health + comfort, life + convenience, resource saving, environment livability, innovation.

Mandatory minimum One Star for government investment buildings in many provinces; rising standards.

4.7 Near-Zero Energy + Zero Energy Buildings

GB/T 51350-2019 -- Technical Standard for Nearly Zero Energy Buildings -- China's PassivHaus-equivalent track. Three tiers:

Nearly Zero Energy Building (Jin Ling Nenghao)
Zero Energy Building (Ling Nenghao)
Positive Energy Building (Zheng Nenghao)

Promoted by CABEE (Centre for Building Energy Efficiency) + provincial incentive schemes.

5. Accessibility (GB 50763-2012)

5.1 GB 50763-2012 -- Code for Design Accessibility

China's accessibility code. Aligned to ISO 21542 + UN CRPD which China ratified.

5.2 Key Dimensions

Element	Dimension
Accessible route	1.2 m clear (1.5 m preferred); passing space 1.5 x 1.5 m every 25 m
Door clear width	800 mm (900 mm preferred at main entry)
Ramp gradient	1:12 max (1:16 preferred); landings every 9 m
Lift cabin	1100 x 1400 mm (Type 1); 1100 x 2100 mm hospital
Accessible WC	2.0 x 2.0 m (peninsula layout); grab rails left + right
Accessible parking	3.5 m + 1.5 m aisle (or 3.0 + 1.2 m for limited urban contexts)
Tactile flooring	Per GB/T 12992-2008 tactile pavement; at level changes, ramps, stair edges, lift entries
Hearing loop	All assembly venues > 200 occupants

5.3 Provision Counts

Accessible parking: 1-2% of total OR minimum 1
Accessible WC: 1 per gender per public WC bank; OR 1 unisex
Accessible apartments: 1-2% of new residential schemes >100 units
Public buildings: full accessibility required throughout

5.4 Provincial Variation

Some provinces (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong) issue stricter local DB codes for accessibility. Shanghai's DGJ08 series + Beijing's DB11 series include accessibility supplements.

6. Structural and Loads

6.1 GB 50009-2012 -- Building Structural Loads

Dead loads, live loads, partition loads
Wind loads (basic wind pressure W0 mapped by region)
Snow loads (basic ground snow load S0 mapped)
Soil pressure
Crane loads
Thermal effects

6.2 GB 50011-2010 (with 2016 partial amendment) -- Code for Seismic Design

Defines Seismic Intensity (Lieji) -- 6-9 degree scale per Chinese intensity classification (not exactly MMI/MMS):

Intensity Degree (Lieji)	Description	Approximate PGA
Degree 6	Felt by most; minor non-structural damage	0.05 g (50-year 10% probability)
Degree 7	Light damage to engineered structures	0.10-0.15 g
Degree 8	Moderate-heavy damage	0.20-0.30 g
Degree 9	Severe damage; collapse possible	0.40 g+

Cities mapped to intensity:

Beijing: Degree 8
Shanghai: Degree 7
Guangzhou, Hong Kong: Degree 6-7
Chengdu: Degree 7
Kunming: Degree 8
Wenchuan (post-2008 mapping): Degree 9
Lhasa: Degree 7-8

6.3 Materials (GB Codes)

Material	Code
Concrete	GB 50010-2010 (Code for Design of Concrete Structures)
Steel	GB 50017-2017 (Code for Design of Steel Structures)
Composite	GB 50017 + GB 50068
Reliability	GB 50068-2018 (Unified Standard for Reliability)
Wood	GB 50005-2017
Masonry	GB 50003-2011
Foundations	GB 50007-2011 (Code for Foundation Design); GB 50330-2013 slope; GB 50202-2018 excavation
Wind tunnel testing	GB 50009 + Tongji + CABR guidelines

6.4 Wind Zones (GB 50009)

China divided into basic wind pressure W0 (kN/m2) by region:

South China coast (typhoon belt): W0 = 0.75-0.85 (Guangzhou ~0.50; coastal up to 0.85)
North coast (Shandong, Liaoning, Tianjin): W0 = 0.55-0.70
Inland east + central: W0 = 0.35-0.50
West interior: W0 = 0.35-0.55

3-second-gust speeds derived; typical 30-45 m/s 50-year return.

6.5 Snow Zones

Northeast (Heilongjiang, Jilin, parts of Inner Mongolia): S0 = 0.7-1.5 kN/m2
Central China: S0 = 0.3-0.5 kN/m2
South: S0 = 0-0.3 kN/m2
Alpine: per local elevation correction

7. Major City Practice Notes

7.1 Beijing (DB11 series)

DB11/T 891 -- Beijing accessibility supplement
DB11/687 -- Beijing energy supplement
DB11/T 1610 -- Beijing residential energy
Seismic Degree 8; high-rise residential restrictions; sunlight rights strong
Plot ratios moderate (1.5-3.5 residential)
Aviation height restrictions near Capital Airport
Heritage zones (Old City) -- height + materials controlled

7.2 Shanghai (DGJ08 series)

DGJ08-205-2011 -- Shanghai general building design
DGJ08-107-2018 -- Shanghai residential energy
DGJ08-109-2014 -- Shanghai public building energy
Seismic Degree 7
Higher plot ratios (5+ in Pudong CBD)
Soft Yangtze Delta soil -- piled foundations universal
Sunlight rights at HSCW Zone III standard (2 h Da Han)

7.3 Shenzhen / Guangzhou / Greater Bay Area

DBJ/T 15 Guangdong series
Hot Summer Warm Winter Zone IV
Lower sunlight requirements (1 h); higher densities feasible
Wind/typhoon design dominant (W0 = 0.75 + Guangzhou)
Subtropical detailing -- humidity, mould, lightning (Shenzhen ~70 thunder days/year)

7.4 Chongqing (Sichuan / SW China)

Hot Summer Cold Winter Zone III
Seismic Degree 7 (varies; post-Wenchuan updates)
Mountainous terrain -- piloti / stepped designs common
Distinct foundation conditions: limestone karst widely

7.5 Hangzhou / Suzhou / Nanjing (Yangtze Delta)

HSCW Zone III
Seismic Degree 6-7
Heritage zones (Pingjiang, Shang Cheng, Tongli)
Strong water-table issues -- waterproofing critical

8. Permit Workflow

8.1 Standard Workflow

Land use right acquisition -- typically 70-year (residential), 40-year (commercial), 50-year (industrial) leasehold from state
Construction Land Planning Permit (Jianshe Yongdi Guihua Xuke Zheng) -- Planning Bureau
Preliminary design + Construction Engineering Planning Permit (Jianshe Gongcheng Guihua Xuke Zheng) -- Planning Bureau
Construction Drawing Review by accredited Construction Drawing Review Institute
Fire Approval (Xiaofang Shenpi) -- Emergency Management Bureau
Construction Permit (Shigong Xuke Zheng) -- Construction Bureau
Construction-Engineering Quality Supervision assigned by Quality Office
Site inspections during construction
Construction Engineering Completion Acceptance (Zhugong Yanshou) -- 5-party meeting: Developer + Supervisor + Designer + Contractor + Drawing Review (joint acceptance)
File completion with archive (Beian) -- formal completion recorded
Property rights certificate issuance

8.2 Designer / Practitioner Licensing

Class A Architectural Design Institute (Yi Ji Sheji Yuan) -- large projects, all scales
Class B -- mid-scale
Class C -- small only
Individual Registered Architect (Zhuce Jianzhushi) -- Class 1 + Class 2

Hospitals, schools, and other special projects require Class A institutes.

8.3 Three Critical Pre-Construction Phases

China practice distinguishes:

Initial Design (Chubu Sheji) -- detailed enough for permit + cost estimation
Construction Drawing (Shigong Tu) -- production drawings
Construction Drawing Review (Shigong Tu Shencha) -- mandatory third-party check

Many large projects skip "Initial Design" and proceed directly with "Schematic + Construction Drawing" -- but Construction Drawing Review remains mandatory.

9. Quick Numeric Reference

Parameter	Value	Source
Floor-to-floor residential	2.8-3.0 m	GB 50352-2019
Floor-to-floor office	3.6-4.5 m	GB 50352-2019; min 2.5 m clear
Hospital floor-to-floor	4.0-4.5 m	GB 50352-2019
Net ceiling height (residential)	2.4 m min	GB 50352-2019
Stair width residential	1.1 m	GB 50352-2019
Stair width public mid-rise	1.2 m	GB 50352-2019
Travel distance high-rise residential sprinklered	40 m	GB 50016 Ch. 5
Travel distance office sprinklered (1-way)	40 m	GB 50016 Ch. 5
Compartment area Class I high-rise sprinklered	2500 m2	GB 50016 Ch. 5
Cladding (high-rise residential ≥ 50 m)	Class A non-combustible	GB 50016 + GB 8624
Wall U-value Cold Zone residential	0.40-0.55 W/m2K	JGJ 26-2018
Window Uw Cold Zone	2.5 W/m2K	JGJ 26-2018
Sunlight Da Han hours (Beijing)	3 h	DB11 / National rule
Yongji-lv residential (Beijing)	1.5-3.5	Local Detailed Reg Plan
Basic wind pressure W0 Beijing	0.45 kN/m2	GB 50009
Seismic intensity Beijing	Degree 8	GB 50011-2010

10. Application Workflow

Identify province + city + administrative tier (province-direct-govt city, prefecture, district).
Identify climate zone (5 zones per GB 50176-2016).
Identify seismic intensity (degree 6-9 per GB 50011-2010 map for city).
Identify DB local supplement (e.g., DB11 Beijing, DGJ08 Shanghai).
Apply GB 50352-2019 for general civil building requirements.
Apply GB 50016-2014 (2018 ed.) for fire/life safety.
Apply GB 50011-2010 for seismic design.
Apply GB 50189-2015 (public) OR JGJ 26/75/134 (residential) for energy by zone.
Apply GB 50763-2012 for accessibility.
Apply Sunlight Rights per GB 50180-2018 + local rules.
Confirm yongji-lv + jianzhu midu + building spacing per Detailed Regulation Plan.
Engage Construction Drawing Review Institute.
Cite clauses: "GB 50352-2019 Section 5.1.3 (mandatory)", "GB 50016-2014 (2018 ed.) Article 5.3.1", "JGJ 26-2018 Table 4.2.1", "GB 50011-2010 (2016 amend) Section 4.1.6", "GB 50763-2012 Section 3.5", "DB11/T 891-2012 Section 4.2".

11. Authoritative Sources

Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD, 住房和城乡建设部) -- mohurd.gov.cn
Standardization Administration of China (SAC, 国家标准化管理委员会) -- sac.gov.cn -- GB code sales
National Engineering Construction Standards Network -- ndzh.com (paywall for full text)
China Building Standard Design Research Institute (CBI, 中国建筑标准设计研究院) -- chinabuilding.com.cn
Centre for Building Energy Efficiency (CABEE) -- energy compliance + ZEB programs
Each provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development -- provincial DB codes
Beijing Bureau of Urban Planning + Natural Resources -- ghzrzyw.beijing.gov.cn
Shanghai Housing + Construction Commission -- zjw.sh.gov.cn
China Green Building Council (CSGBC) -- gbwindows.cn -- Green Building Label

12. Hong Kong SAR (separately governed)

Hong Kong has its own Building Regulations under Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123). Distinct system:

Buildings Department (BD) -- approvals
Code of Practice for the Provision of Means of Escape in Case of Fire (MOE Code)
Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Buildings (FSC)
Practice Notes for Authorized Persons (PNAPs) -- guidance
APP (Application Practice notes)
Plot ratio + site coverage regulated by Building (Planning) Regulations
Authorized Person (AP) leads submission, Registered Structural Engineer (RSE) for structural

Hong Kong common law tradition, English-language, but uses OB (Outline Zoning Plan) for planning. Not covered in detail here -- consult HK-specific resources.

13. Macao SAR

Macao has its own building law (Lei 32/96/M) + technical regulations. Portuguese-tradition + Chinese hybrid. Not detailed here.

Cross-references: load building-codes for general code structure (China is unique with mandatory red-text clauses); fire-life-safety for general principles overlaid by GB 50016 + GB 51251; accessibility-design for global frameworks then GB 50763; building-sustainability for Green Building Label + LEED comparison + GB/T 51350 NZEB; structural-systems for seismic design (Chinese intensity scale + GB 50011); building-envelope for 5-climate-zone tropical + cold + alpine detailing.