Safety and Security Tips for Foreigners Living in Beijing

Original Anna PH theBeijinger 2020-02-03

The US recently issued China-wide warning to US citizens informing them to be vigilant on account of "heightened tension in the Middle East." Yet when it came to actual advice of what to do, the recommendations were disappointingly vague, limited to 'keeping a low profile' and 'being aware of surroundings.' It got us thinking, what safety and security measures should we be taking on a daily basis?

Regardless of where you come from, there are a few steps we all should take to ensure we are safe and secure during our time in Beijing.

Consulate and embassy services

Check how to contact your consulate or embassy in case of an emergency, read up on what services they do and don’t offer to citizens in Beijing.
Register your presence and travel plans with the embassy or consulate if they offer such a service.
Follow them on social media (Twitter, Facebook, and WeChat, etc.) for important updates and alerts, and subscribe to any information services they offer.
Verify which services they do and do not offer to citizens living in Beijing (such as financial aid or sanctuary).
Read up on the ways in which ways Chinese law differs from those of your home country.

Document security

Ensure you have at least six months' validity on your passport. Many embassies offer passport renewal services here in Beijing but it can take time, and will also require updating your visa at the Public Security Bureau (PSB).
Always carry either your actual passport or a photocopy of your passport and current visa pages. Make a few copies and stash them in different bags and locations (home and office, etc.).
Take photos of your important documents and save them under "favorites" on your phone for quick access. Email them to yourself too.
Make sure you have either a hard copy or digital proof of your insurance details.

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Contact information

Ensure your employer or school has the contact information of your designated emergency contact on file.
Share your accurate and up-to-date address and contact information with friends and family back home.
Give your family the contact information of a trusted friend or colleague here that they can contact in case you are unreachable.
Carry a copy of your name, address, emergency contact info in Chinese in a prominent spot (like a wallet) in case you have an accident and are found unconscious.
Save the actual phone numbers of your close friends on your phone, in case you run out of data and are unable to use WeChat. Give them yours.
Communicate your travel plans to close friends if you're leaving Beijing.