Embodiments of the present invention disclose a channel timing method and apparatus for multiflow transmission, where the method includes: configuring time reference information of a non-time reference cell in a case of multiflow transmission; and sending the time reference information to the non-time reference cell, so that the non-time reference cell obtains a high speed dedicated physical control channel (HS-DPCCH) timing by using the time reference information. According to the foregoing solution, time reference information of a non-time reference cell is configured at a higher layer, and is sent to a user equipment, so that the user equipment obtains a high speed dedicated physical control channel (HS-DPCCH) timing by using the time reference information, so that the UE can obtain correct timing relationships between the HS-DPCCH in the non-time reference cell and an uplink DPCH, and between the HS-DPCCH and an HS-PDSCH.