Xinjiang region
Particular caution is still required when traveling to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It is strongly recommended that you avoid crowds and listen carefully to the news. Instructions from the police and security forces should be strictly followed.
Since 2013, the Xinjiang region has seen an increase in violent clashes, with many dead and injured. The Chinese government has significantly tightened security measures in the region since spring 2014 as part of an anti-terror campaign. When using public transport (buses, trains), the same safety regulations apply as at airports. Bringing liquids (including drinking water, cooking oil, yoghurt) as well as lighters and fireworks is prohibited.
Stricter controls are taking place particularly in the city of Urumqi and at the access points to Urumqi. Despite the tightening of security measures, attacks continue to be recorded, in which both Uyghurs and Chinese security forces were injured or even killed.
The continuing tense security situation also represents a potential danger for foreigners. Therefore, particular caution is required when traveling to the Xinjiang region. It is strongly recommended that you avoid crowds and listen carefully to the news. Instructions from the police and security forces must be followed.
Traveling over land, crime
The security situation in the PRC can generally be classified as good. Nevertheless, travelers should always exercise the due attention. This applies in particular in tourist centers, at larger train stations, bus stations and at airports, where intrusive, sometimes aggressive smugglers and black market dealers provide all kinds of services, especially taxi services in the arrivals area, including sexual services (see chapter “Special criminal law provisions” below) and Offer goods (often counterfeit or inoperable) at unrealistic conditions. Travelers should consistently refuse or ignore such offers and use the signposted taxi stands or public transport.
Foreigners over the age of 16 must be able to identify themselves at all times with a passport with a valid Chinese visa. Police controls are possible at any time, especially in the course of increased security measures in the vicinity of major events or memorial days. We recommend that you keep copies of your passport and flight tickets in the hotel and that you always have your passport with a valid visa with you so that you can identify yourself during police checks.
With the hotel’s business card, the taxi driver can ensure safe return transport, even if you do not have any knowledge of Chinese. Gatherings and any kind of crowd should be avoided because of the risk of pickpockets. Attacks on foreigners are rarely known, but they cannot be ruled out even in well-guarded places. It happens again and again, especially in Shanghai, that tourists from mostly younger Chinese, who usually speak English very well, on the street, mostly in tourist areas, near restaurants, pubs and discos, visit sights together, Teahouses, karaoke bars, and especially massage parlors (see also chapter “Special criminal law provisions” below) and the like is offered. In individual cases, those addressed were even only involved in a conversation and then pushed off and detained by several perpetrators in a nearby building. In the end, the victim receives an inflated bill or is extorted large amounts of money (in cash or – by credit card) immediately upon entering the location under threat of violence. Victims of such crimes are advised to contact the nearest police station as soon as possible. With the support of the police, a (partial) refund of the extorted amount can be achieved in many cases. Subsequent assertion is difficult and usually unsuccessful. In the end, the victim receives an inflated bill or is extorted large amounts of money (in cash or – by credit card) immediately upon entering the location under threat of violence. Victims of such crimes are advised to contact the nearest police station as soon as possible. With the support of the police, a (partial) refund of the extorted amount can be achieved in many cases. Subsequent assertion is difficult and usually unsuccessful. In the end, the victim receives an inflated bill or is extorted large amounts of money (in cash or – by credit card) immediately upon entering the location under threat of violence. Victims of such crimes are advised to contact the nearest police station as soon as possible. With the support of the police, a (partial) refund of the extorted amount can be achieved in many cases. Subsequent assertion is difficult and usually unsuccessful.
Particular caution is required when doing online business with Chinese business partners on the Internet, as there have been recent fraudulent incidents. Incidents involving foreigners are increasing in bars and nightclubs in Beijing. In some cases, foreign visitors were mixed with narcotics in their drink and then robbed; in others, foreigners were involved in (sometimes provoked) arguments with the consequences of injury.
Reporting requirement
Foreigners are required to report to the local police if they stay at a location for more than 24 hours (the report must be made within 24 hours). If you stay in a hotel, the hotel will automatically accept this message; If you are staying privately with friends, they must report it.
Natural disasters
The strong earthquake in the Kathmandu Valley on April 25, 2015 also caused considerable damage in southern Tibet. 25 people died and over 50,000 people lost their homes. The clean-up work in southern Tibet, especially in the border areas with Nepal (Nyalam and Gyirong) is expected to continue for a long time.
Several strong earthquakes have occurred in southwest China (especially Sichuan Province) in recent years. Heavy rains, as they are the rule in the rainy season from June to September, also regularly cause landslides in the mountainous areas of this area, which result in deaths. If you plan to travel, especially in mountainous areas in this region, we strongly recommend that you inform yourself in advance about the weather conditions and in the local media (e.g. external link, opens in new window http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/, in English) to inform any weather-related dangerous situations.
The south and southeast of China are regularly hit by typhoons from June to October, which can cause flooding and dangerous landslides. Due to typhoons, unforeseen and dangerous situations can occur again and again. On the homepage of the Chinese Weather Service (external link, opens in new window http://www.cma.gov.cn/en/) travelers can find out about the current weather conditions and current typhoon warnings. The safety instructions and recommendations of the local authorities must be followed.
