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Safety

Police & Safety Guide

Emergency contacts and safety guide for foreign tourists in China

This guide provides foreign tourists with comprehensive safety information in China, including emergency numbers, how to communicate with police, embassy contacts, common safety scenario response steps, and the complete police reporting process. Follow the 4 Golden Rules: save emergency numbers before travel, keep a passport copy separate from the original, know your hotel address in Chinese, and register your trip with your embassy.

Features

Emergency Numbers

110 Police, 120 Ambulance, 119 Fire, 122 Traffic Accident, 12308 Consular Protection - all free and nationwide

Communicating with Police

Use translation apps, call 110 and say 'English' for transfer, visit foreigner-friendly stations, ask hotel to translate

Embassy & Consulate Contacts

Contact information for US, UK, Japan, Korea, Germany, France, Australia and other major embassies in China

Lost/Stolen Wallet or Phone

Immediately freeze bank cards, file police report, remotely lock phone, contact insurance, keep police receipt

Lost Passport Response

File police report for certificate, contact embassy for temporary travel document, notify airline and hotel

Filing a Police Report

Search for nearest station, bring passport and evidence, fill report form, request police report receipt

Usage Guide

1

Step 1

Save emergency numbers (110, 120, 119, 122, 12308) in your phone before traveling

2

Step 2

Keep a passport copy separate from the original, back up photos to cloud

3

Step 3

Know your hotel address in Chinese, carry the hotel business card

4

Step 4

Register your trip with your embassy website before departure

5

Step 5

Download translation apps (Baidu Translate, DeepL) to communicate with police

6

Step 6

Know the location of the nearest police station and your embassy contact info

Pro Tips

  • Recommended order: call 110/120/119 first for immediate safety response, then contact embassy/consulate for documents and follow-up support.
  • Embassy contacts vary by city: Beijing is usually embassy HQ, Shanghai/Guangzhou are usually consulates.
  • 110 and 120 have some English support - save all numbers in your phone contacts
  • Use translation apps (Baidu Translate, DeepL) to communicate with police
  • Call 110 and say 'English' - the dispatcher may transfer to English service
  • Tourist police are available at major tourist sites in big cities
  • In emergencies, embassies can help with temporary travel documents and family contact
  • The police report receipt is required for insurance claims - always request it
  • Useful phrases: Please help me (Qing bang bang wo) | I need to call police | My passport is lost | I am lost

FAQ

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