Abstract Apolipoproteins exert a key role on glucose metabolism; however, scarce data have examined the relationship between apolipoproteins and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in Chinese adults. This study determined the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of serum Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and the ApoB/A1 ratio with HbA1c in Chinese adults. A total of 1448 subjects (584 men and 864 women) aged 54.8 years were included in a baseline survey, and the concentrations of Apo and HbA1c were measured. A total of 826 participants were followed up approximately once after 3.94 ± 0.62 years. In cross-sectional analysis, serum ApoA1 was inversely associated with HbA1c, while ApoB and the ApoB/A1 ratio were positively associated with HbA1c. After further adjusting for the potential covariates, a higher ApoA1 was associated with lower HbA1c (Quartile 4 [Q4] vs. Q1 = 5.673% vs. 5.796%, P-trend = 0.014). In contrast, positive association of ApoB concentration and the ApoB/A1 ratio with HbA1c level were showed (Q4 vs. Q1 = 5.805% vs. 5.589% for ApoB; Q4 vs. Q1 = 5.841% vs. 5.582% for ApoB/A1 ratio). The longitudinal results showed no significant associations of ApoA1, ApoB levels and the ApoB/A1 ratio with HbA1c changes (all P-trends > 0.05). Path analysis suggested that body mass index did not have mediating effect on Apo-HbA1c association. Our findings revealed that higher ApoA1, lower ApoB concentrations and the ApoB/A1 ratio were associated with lower HbA1c level in Chinese adults.