Safety and security - China travel advice - GOV.UK

This guide also has safety advice for regions of China.

For more information, please visit T-Safety.

Terrorism 

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times. 

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in China

Terrorist attacks in China cannot be ruled out.

Although foreigners have not been specifically targeted, attacks may happen in places visited by foreigners. Take particular care during national holidays and at public transport hubs, and always follow the advice of the local authorities.

Risks under Chinese national security laws

Chinese national security laws have broad scope, and you can be arrested without having intended to break the law. See advice in the Laws and cultural differences section below for more information.

Political situation 

China is ruled by a single political party. Though China is open to foreign visitors, be aware of political and cultural sensitivities.

Avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings. The Chinese authorities enforce public order strictly, and you may face arrest, detention and deportation. Foreign journalists have been intimidated, assaulted or detained for trying to report on demonstrations.

You may risk becoming a target when there is an anti-foreign feeling or attitude in China. Keep informed of developments and follow the advice of the local authorities. During periods of tension, the authorities may block:

• news reporting
• access to text-messaging
• the internet
• international lines

Posting, publishing or supporting political statements critical of China or the Chinese authorities could be viewed as illegal.

Crime

Serious crime against foreign nationals is relatively rare, but incidents can happen. Take care of your belongings at major tourist sites and other busy places, particularly where foreign nationals gather.

Indiscriminate attacks using vehicles as a weapon, and knife attacks, have occurred in public places including at schools, supermarkets and hospitals. Although rare, there have been isolated violent attacks that have impacted foreign nationals.

Drink spiking and sexual assault

Do not leave drinks unattended or accept drinks from strangers. Personal attacks and sexual assaults are rare, but they can happen, including through drinks being spiked. Women, travelling alone or with female friends, could be at higher risk.

Scams

Beware of scams in popular tourist areas. A common example is the ‘tea tasting’ or ‘massage’ scam. Friendly strangers may invite you to visit a bar, to drink tea or have a massage, and the establishment then demands a large fee. This can be followed by threats, violence or credit card fraud.

Inspect the QR code stickers on rental bicycles carefully before using them. The legitimate barcode can be replaced with a false code, which redirects money to a different account.

Commercial disputes

Before entering a commercial contract in China, take legal advice, both in the UK and in China. Contracts agreed in the UK are not always recognised by Chinese courts.

If you’re involved in or connected to a business or civil dispute, the Chinese authorities may impose an exit ban, which means you cannot leave China until the matter is resolved. British nationals have been detained against their will, intimidated and forced to pay money.

Violence is rare, but it can be threatened. Report any threats of violence to the Chinese police.

Laws and cultural differences 

Personal ID

Always carry your passport with you. Police carry out random checks, especially during periods of heightened security and major sporting or political events. They do not accept printed copies. Failure to produce your ID can lead to a fine or detention. 

National security laws

There is a risk of detention for alleged breaking of national security laws

China’s authorities have detained foreign nationals who break national security laws. Both ‘national security’ and ‘national interest’ appear regularly in Chinese legislation and have broad scope. You may be detained without having intended to break the law. Activity that happened outside of mainland China – including online activity – could fall under the scope of mainland legislation. There is a risk of arbitrary detention, including of British nationals. 

If you’re detained on grounds of national security, you may be held for up to 6 months before formal arrest and denied legal representation before charges are brought.  

Travelling to sensitive areas

All foreign nationals travelling to or around ‘sensitive’ areas might attract more attention from the authorities, including when:

• taking photographs
• engaging with political groups or charities
• engaging with ethnic minority populations

Sensitivities can change over time and may heighten around particular dates or events.

You may attract additional scrutiny while travelling around mainland China if you’re a current or former employee of:

• foreign governments
• media outlets
• NGOs

This list is not exhaustive and may change over time. This is particularly relevant when travelling to areas with large ethnic minority populations, including but not limited to Xinjiang. See Regional risks for more information.

Religious activities and materials

The Chinese authorities formally recognise 5 religions: Buddhism, Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism and Taoism. Only officially registered religious organisations are permitted to carry out religious activities. Even officially registered organisations must observe restrictions on some religious activities, including preaching and distributing religious materials. The Falun Gong movement and others the authorities consider as ‘cults’ are banned in China.

Criminal proceedings      

Chinese laws and procedures relating to the arrest, detention and trial of criminal suspects are different from in the UK. For example:

• if you’re detained, only your legal representatives and consular staff from the British Embassy are allowed to visit you until your sentence is passed
• there is no trial by jury, the presiding judge or judges will reach a verdict and then pass sentence if they find the accused guilty
• if a case goes to trial, the conviction rate is 99%
• if an offence does not meet the threshold for criminal proceedings, the police still have the right to sentence someone for up to 15 days administrative detention without trial

The granting of bail is rare, and the criminal process can often last at least a year before a verdict is passed. If bail is granted the accused will not be permitted to leave China.

If you’re suspected of a crime, the Chinese authorities can stop you from leaving China by:

• withholding your passport
• applying an exit ban
• detaining you for up to 37 days without charge

The thresholds for detention and prosecution in China differ from those in Hong Kong.

Exit bans

Foreign nationals can be subject to exit bans. Exit bans can:

• be put on people involved in commercial or private disputes to stop them from leaving mainland China
• relate to investigations into an individual, their family or an employer
• be used in criminal and civil matters, including business disputes

An exit ban can last for months or years or until a legal process is complete. You may not be aware you are subject to an exit ban until you try to leave mainland China.

Money

Cashless payments through smartphone apps such as WeChat Pay or Alipay are extremely common, especially in major cities.

Outside major cities, credit cards are not always accepted and ATMs are limited. It is not possible to exchange Scottish or Northern Irish banknotes.

Counterfeit banknotes (especially 100 renminbi notes) are common, including from ATMs. Banks will not replace them. Check notes carefully before accepting them.

Illegal drugs penalties and prison sentences

There are severe penalties for drugs offences in China, including the death penalty. The Chinese authorities randomly test foreign nationals for drugs, including on entry to the country. If you test positive, the Chinese authorities can prosecute you regardless of where or when you took drugs. Police also raid homes. If drugs are found in your property, penalties can be extremely harsh.

The police can raid nightclubs and bars. If you’re in a bar that’s raided, you will be subject to on-the-spot testing and immigration checks. This may involve:

• being kept at the location, or another location, for several hours
• giving hair and urine samples
• passport and visa checks

Testing positive for drugs, or being found in breach of your visa conditions, can lead to heavy fines, detention and deportation.

Internet access

The Chinese authorities control internet access. Internet access can be limited around key political events and dates. Some services are permanently blocked, including:

• Google
• Facebook
• YouTube
• X

Other websites may sometimes be blocked. 

China’s cybersecurity laws state that online products and services (for example, VPNs) need to be licensed by the Chinese government. See the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (in Mandarin). Make sure you stay informed and follow Chinese law.

Building safety

Fire protection standards in Chinese accommodation are not always the same as in the UK. You should:

• check fire precautions, including access to fire exits
• make sure your accommodation has a working fire alarm
• regularly check fire exits are not blocked

Make sure your accommodation has a working carbon monoxide alarm. People have died of carbon monoxide poisoning due to incorrectly installed gas equipment. 

Energy UK has advice on how to stay safe and the symptoms to look out for.

Teaching in China       

Thoroughly research the school or university that is hiring you in China and make sure you’re confident they are following the law.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are legal in China, but public attitudes are less tolerant than in the UK. Showing affection in public may receive negative attention. There’s no Chinese law guaranteeing freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism  

Hiking

Do not hike alone in isolated areas, including on the Great Wall, due to unpredictable weather conditions and the chance of injuries. Even when hiking in a group, leave your itinerary, mobile number and expected time of return at your hotel or with a third party.      

Transport risks

Road travel 

You must have a Chinese driving licence and valid insurance to drive in China. There are harsh penalties for driving without these, including fines and detention.

Drive with caution in China. Accidents are common due to: 

• the poor quality of roads
• high volumes of traffic
• low driving standards

If you’re involved in a serious traffic accident, call the police. Do not move your vehicle until they arrive but make sure you and your passengers are in a safe place. If there are injuries, you may be held legally responsible for medical costs. You will also be held responsible if you hit a pedestrian. 

There are harsh penalties including fines, detention and imprisonment for driving under the influence of alcohol, even at very low levels. 

Rail travel

You must show your passport to buy a ticket and to board a train in China.

Trans-Mongolian Express trains (Beijing-Moscow via Ulaanbaatar) are known for smuggling. Petty theft on overnight trains is common. Search your compartment and lock the cabin door before the train leaves.

Sea travel

Mariners should avoid the disputed territory between China and other countries in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. There have been incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the area. ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre has further information about piracy and armed robbery.

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Taxis

Avoid travelling in unmarked or unmetered taxis, as there have been incidents of sexual assault and robbery against foreign nationals. In marked taxis, make sure someone knows where you are and try to take a note of the taxi’s number.

Disputes over taxi fares can quickly escalate. Any physical altercation could lead to detention regardless of who is to blame. Insist on paying the metered fare and ask for a receipt. The receipt should have the taxi number on it.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.

Earthquakes

China is in an active seismic zone and can experience major earthquakes. Learn what to do before, during and after an earthquake from the US Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

Typhoons

The typhoon season in China normally runs from May to November, affecting southern and eastern coastal regions. Air travel and other forms of transport can be affected. You should monitor the progress of approaching storms on the Japan Meteorological Agency and the China Meteorological Administration websites.

See guidance on tropical cyclones for advice about what to do if you are caught in a typhoon.

Flooding 

Trends in Product Safety

Product safety is vital to China's social life and economic development. However, China has not directly promulgated a single "product safety law", instead, product safety is carefully regulated through various laws and regulations in a wide area of industries. For example, the Food Safety Law, the Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Law, administrative regulations about medical devices, cosmetics, etc.

In particular, Articles to , Chapter 4, Part VII of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China (the "Civil Code") clearly provide the civil liability for violations of the Product Safety requirement.

For instance, Article provides that if product defects cause damages, the manufacturer shall bear tort liability. Article provides that where a product defect harms personal safety of human beings, the infringed person shall have the right to request the manufacturer or seller to bear tort liability such as cessation of infringement, removal of obstruction, elimination of danger, etc. As a consequence, the Civil Code, as the highest level of civil laws in China, directly stipulates at least very basic civil tort liability rules for activities in breach product safety legal obligations.

Food Safety

China has always been concerned about food safety for public health. In , China enacted its first food safety law. The Food Safety Law was amended in , and , representing a continuous and high level of governmental attention on protecting public food safety.

Supervision over drug quality and safety

As early as , China promulgated the Drug Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, which was revised in , , and . In the latest version, China has established a comprehensive system for the supervision and management of drug quality, with detailed requirements for all processes, from the composition of new drugs to clinical trials, to ensure the reliability of drug quality. In recent years, China has promulgated a number of new regulations to focus on enhancing drug quality and chastising illegal and criminal activities surrounding unsafe drugs and related issues and/or crimes.

Trends in Product Quality

The Product Quality Law of the People's Republic of China directly regulates product quality and safety. The latest official revision was in . However, there ha been many changes in China as it has progressed socially, economically and judicially, particularly in the post-COVID era.

As a consequence, the State Administration of the Market Regulation (SAMR) made significant efforts to draft and provide an official law revision draft on October 18, for opinion and feedback from general public (hereinafter Revision Draft). This article will introduce several key changes proposed by the SAMR.

The proposed Revision Draft to the Product Quality Law includes the following highlights:

Increasing a governmental co-ordination mechanism for product quality

Article 7 of the Revision Draft asks the State Council to:

• establish a co-ordination mechanism for product quality work;
• study and formulae quality policies, deploy and implement key tasks;
• co-ordinate and handle major issues; and
• co-ordinate and promote quality work.

The local people's governments at or above the county level may, in light of their work needs, establish a co-ordination mechanism for product quality work, and make overall arrangements to promote the quality work within their respective administrative regions.

Article 8 imposes upon local people's governments at or above the county level the need to conduct a " Responsibility System" to supervise the product quality administrative function of local government officers. Higher level government is in charge of appraising and assessing the job of lower government officers working in product quality administration.

Accordingly, the new law, if passed, is promoting and enhancing the administrative agency’s product quality supervision roles.

Obligation to report product quality and safety accident

The newly proposed "Product quality and safety accidents reporting system" has been long been established at the local and lower regulation levels for a long time. However, the Revision Draft provided very detailed, updated rules for this system, enhancing its attention to formal law obligation.

For example, Article 16 provides a two-day time limit for manufacturers to report to local, provincial-level government any instance of personal death or injury, serious disease, or major property damages incidents that have occurred during the use of their manufactured products by consumers. Furthermore, the manufacturer has only seven business days to file a formal investigation report to the supervisory government agency after the occurrence of such incidents.

Although these short time limits are only a proposed time line and have not become law, this proposed draft shows a strong requiring manufacturing enterprise's to react swiftly and efficiently should product quality issue incidents arise.

Obligation to recall defective products

China’s legal system has a system in place for the recall of defective products for some time, but there is greater focus on specific industries or products via lower level regulatory requirements, such as automobiles (the Administrative Regulations on the Recall of Defective Auto Products in ), drugs (the Announcement of the State Food and Drug Administration on Issuing the Administrative Measures for Drug Recall in ), food (the Administrative Measures for Food Recall in ) and consumer goods, etc.

The Revision Draft enhances this with a law-level requirement and broadly covers all defective products. Its Article 17 stipulates that the State shall implement a recall system for defective products. In the event of widespread defects in the same batch, model or category of product due to design, manufacturing, or warning problems, the manufacturer shall case manufacturing, report to the market supervision and administration authorities, notify consumers and relevant business operators, and voluntarily implement the recall. The relevant business operators shall cease sales and assist manufacturers in completing the recall process.

Its Article 40 also empowers the market supervision and administration agency can effect an involuntary recall by notifying the defective product manufacturer and ordering the recall.

Product quality obligations of third-party e-commerce platform service providers

As e-commerce becomes increasingly popular in China, regulators realised the importance of supervising product quality issues related to e-commerce platforms and live studio sales. Previously, such provisions were provided for in certain local regulations such as the Action Plan for Quality Improvement of E-commerce Products issued by Ningxia market regulatory agency.

Article 29 and Article 77 of the Revision Draft provides, in Revised Draft Product Quality Law , that for products recalled by a manufacturer, the third-party e-commerce platform service provider shall:

• promptly provide business information (such as online sales) to the market supervision and administration authorities responsible for the recall;
• supervise online sellers to assist the manufacturer in implementing recall of defective products;
• stop selling the relevant products; and
• co-operate in the provision of recall services.

Where a third-party platform service provider knows or should have known that a seller has sold products that infringe upon the civil rights and interests of others but fails to take necessary measures, it shall bear joint and several liability with the online seller.

Further refined product quality supervision and inspection system

China's product quality supervision has long been normalised, and the market regulator routinely inspects product quality, providing warnings and notices to violators and the general public. Further, the 15 March is the Consumer Rights Day in China.

The Revision Draft refines the existing rules for product quality supervision and inspection through Article 38 and 39. First, the market supervision and administration authorities can conduct routine supervision and inspection or undertake special supervision and inspection. Business operators have no rights to refuse supervision and inspection by the authorities.

Second, to facilitate the supervision and investigation of product quality, the higher-level market supervision and management departments may entrust the lower-level departments to conduct the investigation.

In addition, the determination of whether a product is defective shall be based on a comprehensive assessment of the possibility, severity and scope of damage caused to personal and property safety, and a determination shall be made thereafter.

Eliminate hidden dangers beforehand

Rather than taking steps and remedies to resolve product quality problems, it is preferable to make efforts to diagnose and eliminate issues during the early production stage which overall results in a preferable economic outcome.

As a consequence, in line with the method of eliminating hidden dangers and preventing subsequent issues, the Revision Draft stipulates through Article 44 and Article 45 that, where the supervision and administration authorities discover that there "might" be product quality and safety hazards in the course of the manufacturing and sale of products, the authorities may conduct an interview with a legal representative or actual controlling party of the manufacturer, seller or other business operator of the products.

The interviewee shall immediately take measures to eliminate the noted issues.

Credit supervision

China abides by an honesty and credit system, which is widely established in its supervision of financial industry and activities. For example, in , the State Council had provided specific opinions on accelerating the construction of a credit-based new supervision mechanism.

The Revision Draft of the SAMR is implanting these credit supervision methods into the product quality and safety system. Article 46 stipulates that local governmental agency shall:

• establish and improve upon a product quality creditworthiness regulatory system;
• promptly record product quality creditworthiness information through the national enterprise creditworthiness information announcement system; and
• announce, pursuant to the law, and implement the categorised regulation of product quality creditworthiness for business operators.

That business operators who have committed serious violations of the provisions of this Law shall be included on a list of operators with serious illegal and dishonest conduct. They will face restrictions in getting public funding support, government procurement, tendering and bidding, policy-based financing and loans, and appraisal of excellence. These negative effects could seriously impact the listed business operators from maintaining sustainable sales channels and business growth.

Others

Trends in the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) industry and electronic vehicle charging station industry

China understands the importance of the quality of UAVs, and as such the State Administration for Market Regulation has provided special provisions on their quality, releasing the version of the Implementing Rules for the Supervision and Random Inspection of UAV Product Quality and requested comments and feedback from the general public. The provisions focus on preventing any malfunction of the UAV equipment.

On the same day, he version of the rules for electronic vehicle charging station was submitted for public comments and feedback, focusing preventing failure to charge under abnormal environmental conditions.

Trends in the electronic cigarette industry

China has determined that it is necessary to make specific provisions on the quality of e-cigarettes, such as the announcement of the State Tobacco Administration on promulgating the Measures for the Administration of e-cigarettes in May , and the Guidelines for Promoting the Construction of Quality Guarantee System for Exported E-cigarettes issued by the General Office of the State Tobacco Administration in July .

Trends in the railway industry

As the primary transportation method in China, railways (particularly high speed rail) play an important role in ensuring quick and consistent economic life and development. Consequently, significant efforts have been made to regulate the safety of railway equipment and a series of regulations have been promulgated to ensure railway quality. For example, the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of the Quality and Safety of Railway Equipment and the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Random Inspection of the Quality of Special Railway Products, both were promulgated in July and enforced in September .

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