Time signals

The National Time Service Center (NTSC; Chinese: 國家授時中心; pinyin: Guójiā shòushí zhōngxīn; Wade–Giles: Kuo-chia Shou-shih Chung-hsin) has the task of generating, maintaining and broadcasting standard time in China. It is located in Xi'an, Shaanxi, China. Its predecessor was the Shaanxi Astronomy Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which was established in 1966. In March 2001, the Observatory was renamed to National Time Service Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

A time signal is a visible, audible, mechanical, or electronic signal used as a reference to determine the time of day.

A ship's bell is a bell on a ship that is used for the indication of time as well as other traditional functions. The bell itself is usually made of brass or bronze, and normally has the ship's name engraved or cast on it.