On March 1, 1994, China began an alternating working week. In one week, Saturday and Sunday were rest days. In the next, only Sunday was. The pattern was called 大小周, big and small weeks.
On March 25, 1995, the State Council amended its rules on working hours. From May 1, 1995, employees worked eight hours a day and 40 hours a week, and the five-day week began.