In 2011, the reported murder rate in China was 1.0 per 100,000 people, with 13,410 murders. The murder rate in 2018 was 0.5. The reported murder rates have been criticized for under-reporting unsolved murders due to police salaries being based on the rate of solved cases.
In 2020, there were around 1.9 million fraud crimes recorded in China. This made fraud the most common crime committed. The number of fraud crimes increased gradually in recent years, while theft crimes decreased considerably.
Official statistics would certainly suggest that crime in China is extremely low. Murder rates in China are roughly one-fifth as high as in the United States. According to the official crime statistics there, all crimes are rare. China certainly feels safe.
With the exception of individuals with hunting permits and some ethnic minorities, civilian firearm ownership is restricted to non-individual entities. Law enforcement, military, paramilitary, and security personnel are allowed to use firearms. Police are to use issued pistols only to stop serious or dangerous crimes.
Is living in China safe? Yes, many expats, especially women, find living in China is much safer than in cities like London or New York. Street harassment and catcalling is virtually unheard of for foreigners, and streets tend to be well lit at night.
Some of the world's lowest crime rates are seen in Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Japan, and New Zealand. Each of these countries has very effective law enforcement, and Denmark, Norway, and Japan have some of the most restrictive gun laws in the world.
The police in Japan recorded 874 murder cases in 2021. The number decreased by 55 cases compared to the previous year. A regional breakdown of murder cases shows that the majority of cases in 2021 occurred in Japan's Kanto region.
Capital punishment in China is a legal penalty. It is commonly applied for murder and drug trafficking, although it is also a legal penalty for various other offenses. Executions are carried out by lethal injection or by shooting. The majority of Chinese people support capital punishment.
1. Iceland. According to the Global Peace Index, Iceland is the safest country globally for the 13th year in a row. Iceland is a Nordic nation with a relatively small population of 340,000.
For the most part, China is a safe place to visit, and crowds in public places should not cause any worry. Of course, small risks are still present, including petty theft and pickpocketing in tourist areas, as well as at train stations and on sleeper buses and trains.
Crime. In terms of crime, China is recognised as being one of the safest countries in the world. Tough law enforcement, a 99% conviction rate, and draconian criminal penalties act as harsh and effective deterrents to serious crime.
Living in Dandong, China's Most “Dangerous” City.
Unfortunately, it is true that – statistically, at least – the USA is far from the safest country in the world. If we take a look at the Global Peace Index of 2019, which measures the peacefulness and general safety of 163 nations across the globe, the United States ranks 128th.
In the mid-1980s rural parents were allowed to have a second child if the first was a daughter. It also allowed exceptions for some other groups, including ethnic minorities. In 2015, the government removed all remaining one-child limits, establishing a two-child limit.
China does have free public healthcare which is under the country's social insurance plan. The healthcare system provides basic coverage for the majority of the native population and, in most cases, expats as well. However, it will depend on the region you reside in.
To drive a car in China, you need a Chinese driver's license. China does not recognize the International Driving Permit or other foreign driver's licenses. Only foreigners with a valid residence permit can apply for a Chinese driver's license. Tourists are therefore not allowed to drive in China.
All wild animals protected under the Wildlife Protection Law and other relevant laws of the People's Republic of China are prohibited from being hunted, traded, transported or consumed.
Other than the police and the military, no one in Japan may purchase a handgun or a rifle. Hunters and target shooters may possess shotguns and airguns under strictly circumscribed conditions. The police check gun licensees' ammunition inventory to make sure there are no shells or pellets unaccounted for.
After obtaining a work or student visa, foreigners need to register with the Chinese authorities and obtain a residency permit within the first 30 days after their arrival in China. Resident permits are usually issued for one year, but can be extended for the duration of your work contract.
According to the 2019 Global Peace Index, Vietnam ranks 57th out of 163 countries in safety—well above the United States in the 114th position.