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.
Serious crime against foreigners is relatively rare, but incidents do occur. There is a risk of armed bandit attacks in remote parts of China. Police presence may be poor around border areas.
China is generally considered a safe place for women, having some of the lowest crime rates in the world. However, crime is systematically underreported and women continue to face discrimination in public and private spaces.
China also has the second highest percentage (66 percent) of people who feel safer. The world's average was 36 percent for the latter.
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.
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.
China on the whole is extremely safe. Crime against foreigners is rare, and violent crime, and incidents such as mugging and rape, against foreigners is extremely rare.
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.
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 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.
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.
China is generally a safe country to travel to, as long as you know where you're going and stay alert. China is visited by travellers from all around the world, and is of no danger to any person who understands local cultures and obeys local laws.
In terms of personal safety, western travelers can feel that it is safe to travel to China. Actually, there's a consensus that many of our customers feel China is one of the safest countries in the world for travel; in some cases even safer than their own country.
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.
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.
The U.S. ranks among the 15 most dangerous places to live in the world. According to InterNations, expats are not convinced that the “American Dream” still exists, with just 67% rating their personal safety positively in the U.S. That number is 15 percentage points less than the global average of 82%.
China is an excellent country for solo female travelers, and the capital is especially ideal. In Beijing, there are rigid security checks at all train and subway stations, the locals are hospitable, and there is quite a robust street life during the day and at night.
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.
Estimated number in China
An estimate published in 2018 counted 600,000 people of other nations living in China, with 12% of those from the US; that means approximately 72,000 Americans living in China.
Generally speaking, China is a safe country to travel around, and most people you meet are friendly, honest, and trustworthy. However, China is far from immune to crime, the weather can affect travel plans, there are some health risks that may be new to you, and accidents do happen.
The most dangerous countries to visit in 2022 are Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen according to the latest Travel Risk Map, an interactive tool produced by security specialists at International SOS.
1. Japan. Japan ranks tops the charts of the Global Peace Index as the safest, most peaceful country in Asia.