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| Useful
Advice for Tourists Visiting China |
Police, Crime,
Sharp Practice, Not Sharp Practice
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Introduction:
This page contains general information for
Tourists, and should be read in conjunction with larger
topics that have separate and dedicated pages of their
own
Topics on this page include:
Police
Crime
Sharp Practice
Not Sharp Practice
Police
1. Dial 110 for Police assistance (999
in Hong Kong)
2. Normally Police will speak Mandarin
only
3. Police are correctly known as The
Public Security Bureau
4. Police Uniform is just like UK and
USA = Blue shirt with a large badge on the left sleeve
only, navy trousers and jacket
5. Police often carry firearms, and
sometimes automatic rifles or shotguns
There are various Police Departments as in other countries,
and I have found them to be courteous, helpful and efficient.
The majority tend to be friendly and a bit laid-back
- however they can soon become officious if the situation
requires this. Show due respect and you will have no
problems
The major Police Departments you will likely encounter
will be conducting these duties:
A. Traffic Police. These respond to
accidents and do check for speeding offences etc. They
also have teams who irregularly do specific spot checks.
Normally these are regarding: motorcyclists who are
not wearing crash helmets, trucks being in the wrong
place without permission, not wearing seat belts in
the front seats, etc. Normally these rules are only
enforced at the time of these arbitrary checks, and
the checks themselves are usually confined to the specific
operation only. Therefore if one day you are asked to
wear your seat belt etc, please know there is probably
a very good reason behind this
B. Point Duty for traffic and pedestrian
control at crossroads
C. Walking the streets in general (Bobby
on the Beat) - you can ask these for help and directions
D. Special Duty, such as protection
units for Central Government Officials
E. Immigration - often plain clothes
who periodically check foreigners credentials. This
generally applies to foreigners who are living permanently
in China. So if half a dozen uniformed Police, or two
in plain clothes appear at your door one day, please
know they are there to check your Passport and Visa,
and see your Certificate of Temporary Residency. It
is unlikely they will speak any language other than
Mandarin. Checks are normally annual or biannual, although
sometimes this can be more frequently, as during the
recent Olympic Games.
Note: Some cities, and I am really
meaning a couple of specific areas of Guangzhou here,
do have a small problem with illegal immigrants. Please
carry either your Passport or Certificate
of Temporary Residence with you at all times, as your
credentials may be checked. We understand this problem
is specifically related to a minority of dark skinned
people, but we cannot specify a race or culture for
definite. Therefore, if your roots are from USA, the
Caribbean, Africa, India, or you have a darker complexion
- please ensure you always have your documents on you
at all times.
China Expats does not care what colour your skin is
by the way - this information is brought solely for
your protection and safe-keeping
Crime
There is comparatively very little crime in China,
as people are generally honourable, and punishments
can be severe. Foreigners will be a lot safer than
in the West, but should note the following:
1. The major crime you are vulnerable
to is Bag Snatching. Perpetrators are invariably migrant
workers, and this occurs mainly in crowded shops and
by pillion riders on town backstreets. Thwart this
by wearing a bag with shoulder strap going over your
head
2. Pickpockets and opportunist thieves
do exist, please take all normal and sensible precautions
3. Stealing Bandwidth from wireless
internet connections is on the increase. Obviously
this only applies to people who have their own, and
if you do have the security and encoding increased
from the easily breakable standard specifications
4. Bicycle theft is quite common,
especially regarding towns and poorer areas. Even
padlocked bikes can disappear.
5. Opportunist thieves will make
off with any small and attractive items such as bags,
wallets, cash, jewellery and especially mobile phones,
laptops, etc. Do not leave these unattended ever.
Contrarily, things left in hotel rooms are 99.99%
safe - staff will be instantly dismissed for any complaint,
even without any corroboration.
Otherwise you will probably never see any crime, it
is very rare. However, Chinese are not adverse to
making a quick buck, so beware of con tricks and sharp
practices
Sharp Practice
Whilst these are not crimes, you may feel as if you
have been 'robbed' on occasions. Some of this may
be your own fault for misunderstanding the charge
regarding verbal exchanges = a decimal place wrong
in either direction. I will list other problems below:
Hawkers and Hasslers:
1. Anyone who approaches you on the
street selling: watches, laptops, mobile phones, etc.
Most of these are stolen goods. Watches are cheap
copies of course
2. Motor tricycle taxi's usually
refuse to give foreigners a price, and then charge
10 times a normal taxi fare. Most of these are un
licenced, so call their bluff and dial the Police
on 110
3. Taxi's at Airports and isolated
local attractions, who refuse to charge by the meter
(An offence in China), and 10 times the real fare.
4. Begging is illegal in China also.
Most of these Beggars are run by gangs who's Boss drives
around in the latest top spec Mercedes. Meanwhile you
are plagued by young kids on city streets who may even
attach themselves to your legs, whilst their controller
looks on. These children are bought for this purpose.
If a beggar is genuine, then they will accept things
other than money, like food or cigarettes etc. If you
give them money, it goes towards the Big Bosses next
car or house. Be wary!
5. Hong Kong. In this city you will
be plagued by Indians selling suits along Nathan Road,
and by Likely Lads selling watches near The Star Ferry
Terminal in Kowloon
6. If any of these cowboys grab hold
of your arm, take immediate and decisive action
7. Never get talked into giving your
purse or wallet to an aggressive street trader. Bye-bye!
Not Sharp Practice
The above sounds really bad when listed, but believe
me when I say that these troubles are isolated incidents
amongst millions, and mainly occur at major tourist
venues. Being a Western person you are Number 1 Target.
I will now redress the balance by listing what could
be mistaken for Sharp Practices, but are in fact genuine:
1. People asking for your photograph.
This can be a con trick in the West. It is genuine
in China, as Chinese people really do want to have
a picture of 'You'. Make their day
by posing with them for group shots - it can lead
to new and lasting friendships
2. Haggling a price with market traders
and stall holders is normal in China. You can both drive
very hard bargains. Once a price is fixed they are very
honourable, and will send people for change if they
don't actually have it handy |
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| This
information is as supplied by the Chinese Embassy in
UK, as dated 20th June 2008, and/or other reliable sources.
Please check this information yourself as it may alter
without notice, and whilst we try our best to ensure
it is correct, please do not hold us responsible for
any errors - this is intended as a simple guide only |
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