2020 Crime & Safety Report:

This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Consulate in Shenyang. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in the northeastern Chinese provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and . For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s China country page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.

Travel Advisory

Note that the Regional Security Office submitted this report prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, and it represents a picture of the baseline security environment as of the beginning of 2020. The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication advises avoiding travel to China the novel coronavirus. However, the Travel Advisory in effect prior to the outbreak assessed China at Level 2, indicating travelers should Exercise increased caution in China due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws and special restrictions on dual U.S.-Chinese citizens. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.

Chinese authorities have asserted broad authority to prohibit U.S. citizens from leaving China by using exit bans, sometimes keeping U.S. citizens in China for years. China uses exit bans coercively:

• to compel U.S. citizens to participate in Chinese government investigations; • to lure individuals back to China from abroad; and • to aid Chinese authorities in resolving civil disputes in favor of Chinese parties.

In most cases, U.S. citizens only become aware of the exit ban when they attempt to depart China. Authorities have harassed and threatened U.S. citizens subject to exit bans. U.S. citizens may be detained without access to U.S. consular services or information about their alleged crime. U.S. citizens may be subject to interrogations and extended detention for reasons purportedly related to state security.

Extra security measures, such as security checks and increased levels of police presence, are common in the Xinjiang Uighur and Tibet Autonomous Regions.

China does not recognize dual nationality. U.S.-Chinese citizens and U.S. citizens of Chinese heritage may be subject to additional scrutiny and harassment.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

Crime Threats

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Shenyang as a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Shenyang, with a population of over eight million people, is generally safe when compared with major urban areas of comparable size. The police and security service presence deters most serious crime, though petty crime does occur with some regularity. The economy of parts of northeastern China, and Liaoning province in particular, has lagged behind much of the rest of China in recent years. This is a factor of much of the economic crime experienced in the region.

1 Shenyang, as well as other major cities of northeastern China, has a large migrant population made up of laborers from the countryside and smaller towns. This population increases during warmer months when large construction projects are in full swing, and ebbs during the colder months when construction slows. Workers often live in large, temporary housing structures on-site that move from one construction project to the next. This migrant population is associated with certain crimes (e.g. petty theft, assault) fueled in part by opportunity, alcohol, and desperation.

Shenyang, like most of northeastern China, has a small expatriate community. The most common crimes affecting Westerners are crimes of opportunity (e.g. purse snatching, pickpocketing, taxi-fare extortion, and counterfeit currency). Though criminal elements do not specifically target Westerners, they sometimes fall prey to these crimes, especially around tourist centers.

RSO Shenyang is also aware of cases of assault and groping happening in public.

Fraud and corruption persist in northeastern China, although in recent years the central government’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign has seen investigations and arrests of large number of officials in the region.

Generally, lesser-developed areas in major cities have a higher rate of crime. Statistically, more crimes of opportunity transpire during overnight hours. For example, individuals who frequent bars, nightclubs, and similar establishments are more likely to be involved in physical altercations after midnight.

Training, capability, and responsiveness of Chinese authorities varies by region and city. The income disparity in Chinese society has been a source of social friction and is a root cause for much of the economic crime experienced in Beijing and other large Chinese cities. This includes pickpocketing, credit card fraud, and various financial scams, many of which target foreign victims because of their perceived wealth. Pickpocketing on public transportation during peak hours, in shopping areas, and at tourist sites is common. In such locations, travelers may have little or no personal space, making them more vulnerable to pickpocketing and petty theft. Thieves target cash, credit cards, jewelry, cell phones, cameras, and other electronic devices, among other personal belongings. At tourist sites, thieves are generally more interested in cash, and will immediately abandon credit cards; in shopping areas, they may seek cash and credit cards. Make copies of your passport photo page and visa, as well as credit card numbers (to include telephone contact information in the event the card is stolen), and store in your hotel or residence – and keep a copy of the photo saved on your phone – in the event the actual items are stolen. Review OSAC’s report, All That You Should Leave Behind.

Criminals often work in teams and use distraction techniques; some may carry knives, even if they do not routinely brandish them.

Violent crime is relatively uncommon. Violent crime affecting the expatriate community most often occurs in bars, nightclubs, and other nightlife establishments. Bar fights often involve excessive drinking, insults regarding ethnicity/nationality, and disputes over women, and usually result in large numbers of local patrons physically overwhelming foreigners. While the legal age for consuming alcohol is 18, most establishments do not require identification. Some bars are overcrowded, and authorities do not routinely enforce safety standards. Prostitutes and drugs are present in some clubs and karaoke bars.

2 Travelers may encounter scenes of domestic violence or assault on the street. These incidents usually involve shoving, punching, and kicking. Even when a crowd forms, no one generally intervenes to stop the assault for fear of blame or liability. If necessary, locate the nearest police officer or station for assistance.

Workplace violence and assaults are less common but also occur, with several expatriates reportedly receiving threats or assaulted because of contract or wage disputes with business partners and employers. Review OSAC’s report, Detained in China.

Sexual assaults have occurred, although reported incidents remain relatively rare. Most instances follow the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages in bars, nightclubs, and massage parlors. Other factors potentially contributing to sexual assault include the use of unlicensed taxis, undertaking high-risk activities, or failing to follow best security practices. Review OSAC’s report, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad.

Criminals use various scams to defraud foreign victims. Scamming of foreigners is less frequent in northeast China, as there are fewer foreign visitors. While there have been instances of robbery by force, many cases appear to have involved a variation of the same scam. Typically, scammers invite a victim to a specific location for a massage, tea, drinks, or music, or to view an art exhibition or practice English skills. While in the establishment, criminals confront the victim and force them to turn over a credit card under the threat of violence. The criminals then charge the credit cards with thousands of dollars in purchases, for which the victim must sign the receipt. In most cases, criminals release the victims unharmed, though distraught or embarrassed, with further threats of violence should they notify the police. Although this trend has occurred for several years, it appears to be continuing unabated. Local police are willing to engage, but often seem unwilling to investigate the crimes if the complainant is no longer present in China. In instances where the victim reported the crime to the police immediately, there has been limited success in recovering lost money or valuables, but evidence of prosecutions is scarce. Review OSAC’s reports, Common China Scams and Common China Scams pt. II: Theft/Extortion.

Scammers send text messages and emails referring to fraudulent bills and/or traffic tickets to trick people into paying money.

Scammers use information gained from recent data security breaches to trick their victims into believing that they are legitimate callers. For example, a caller may reference a victim’s name, address, ID number, family member names, and/or school to trick the victim into sending them money.

Scammers pose as a police officers, and place telephone calls requesting a funds transfer to resolve an identity theft or money laundering investigation. The situation can be “resolved” if the victim agrees to the transfer.

Another reported scam occurs when bad weather cancels flights. An individual at the airport approaches stranded passengers and asks if they need a hotel room. The individual appears to work for the airport, wears an ID badge, and carries a radio. They call a vehicle, which takes the passengers to a hotel, and have them pay the driver. Upon check-out, they discover that they paid the driver at least double the hotel rate, and that the scammers had no affiliation with the airport or hotel.

3 Counterfeit currency is a significant concern in China, as evidenced by the scrutiny storeowners exercise when receiving payment in cash, and the use of a money-counting machine prior to acceptance to ensure validity. Unsuspecting visitors receive fraudulent notes at restaurants, stores, ATMs, and in taxi cabs. Large numbers of 100 RMB and 50 RMB counterfeit notes are regularly in circulation, though smaller denominations (such 10 RMB and 20 RMB notes) may also be counterfeit. Understand the signatures of authentic currency and do not change money with individuals on the street. Moneychangers offering unrealistic exchange rates often use counterfeit currency. Counterfeiting is becoming less common, as most people in China now use WeChat, AliPay, or other forms of electronic payment instead of cash. Use ATMs only at trusted financial institutions. Review OSAC’s reports, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit.

A common taxi scam occurs when passengers pay with a 100 RMB note. The driver switches the note with a counterfeit bill, “returns” the bill, and rejects it as counterfeit – only to then demand another genuine note. Carrying small bills or using exact change, particularly in taxis, can help protect you.

Cybersecurity Issues

There is no expectation of privacy in China. The Chinese government has the capability to monitor cellphones, tablets, and computers connected to the internet. The Chinese government has publicly declared that it regularly monitors private email and Internet browsing through cooperation with the limited number of internet service providers (ISPs) and wireless providers operating in China. Wireless access to the Internet in major metropolitan areas is becoming more common, so Chinese authorities can access official and personal computers more easily. U.S. government employees have reported seeing unknown computers and devices accessing their home networks; these intrusions likely required advanced computer knowledge and network password hacking.

The government proactively monitors all media outlets, and will temporarily block international media outlets during broadcasts of news stories considered unfavorable to the Chinese government. OSAC members frequently report incidents involving restricted bandwidth or high latency, making email and internet browsing frustratingly slow.

Cyber threat actors target foreign governments and members of the private sector. Foreign individuals and organizations should remain vigilant against potential intrusions to their proprietary networks and information technology systems. China is known for the use of sophisticated cyber capabilities including spear phishing, targeting of mobile devices, social engineering, and network manipulation. Viruses, malware, and other forms of malicious software are common.

The government controls the internet within China and restricts or blocks completely access to some common websites based outside of China. WeChat and other alternative Chinese applications are nearly ubiquitous; however, they have built-in features that allow the Chinese government to monitor and censor messages, read the device’s address book, access photos, track the user’s current location, and even activate the microphone or camera. China widely monitors social media accounts. Local authorities may use information they deem controversial against both the poster of the material and the host of the forum. Bloggers are subject to particular scrutiny, and may have content blocked depending on the profile, following, and content.

4 Information security in China is an organization-wide challenge that merges both physical and cyber security. An holistic approach to defend against a perceived increase in cybersecurity threats includes the following basic countermeasures:

• Use “burner” devices containing limited information and erase or dispose of them after a trip is complete; • Minimize the number of mobile devices you carry, and keep devices with you at all times to maintain their integrity; • Do not accept electronic gifts, including USB devices, even from people you trust; • Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.

Review OSAC’s reports, Trends in Chinese Cyber Espionage Campaigns and Virtual Private Networks In China: Are They Legal?

Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and All That You Should Leave Behind.

Transportation-Safety Situation

Road Safety and Road Conditions

All drivers must possess a Chinese driver’s license. International or U.S. licenses are not valid.

The physical road conditions in larger cities are generally good, while driving conditions in rural areas off major highways are usually poor. Roads in Shenyang are extremely crowded. Drivers are often careless or aggressive, resulting in frequent accidents. Drivers rarely adhere to traffic laws, and policing occurs remotely by video camera. Yielding to oncoming traffic/pedestrians and signaling one’s intentions in advance are virtually unheard of. Traffic signals are absent at key locations, stop signs are often non- existent, and road closures are poorly marked, if at all. Incidents of individuals driving while impaired are also relatively common. Do not overreact to aggressive driving by local nationals; attempt to defuse the situation in a safe and timely manner.

Busy roads often lack shoulders, and drivers often contend with many scooters and bicycles in driving lanes. Where there are shoulders, cars generally use them as another travel lane, especially on crowded highways. It is common to see drivers reverse on the highway to get to an exit they missed, stop on the side of the highway to drop off passengers and slowly merge into high-speed travel lanes, or veer diagonally across several lanes of traffic to get to an off ramp.

Most accidents are minor and resolve on the scene. Vehicles must carry insurance. Cars must remain at the scene of an accident and must not pull over to the side of the road until police arrive. In traffic accidents, authorities often find the foreigner at fault, regardless of the actual cause of the accident. Do not argue with the other party involved in a traffic accident regardless of who is responsible. During bad weather or when traffic is heavy it can be very difficult to find a taxi or get a Didi car (China’s version of Uber). During heavy rains, manhole covers are sometimes removed to allow for drainage, causing hazards to motorists and pedestrians.

Commercial transportation accidents involving motorized transportation are relatively common due to poor driver training and a lack of safety checks.

5 Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.

Public Transportation Conditions

Passengers rarely use seat belts; taxi drivers sometimes discourage passengers from wearing them. The average fare for a ride in downtown Shenyang starts at 9 RMB and increases 1 RMB with every kilometer. Avoid traveling in taxis that do not use meters or do not clearly display a taxi license on the dashboard. Marked taxicabs are generally safe and yellow cabs tend to be newer and cleaner. Insist that the cab driver use the meter; however, it is common to agree to a set rate. There have been cases where rigged meters charge rates faster and taxi drivers take a long route to get to the destination. In a limited number of cases, U.S. taxi patrons have reported their luggage stolen or receiving exorbitant fares. Luggage theft typically involves a taxi transporting individuals to/from the airport with the driver intentionally leaving the scene before unloading the bags. Avoid any individual offering a taxi service at the airport; they will often charge fares that are 2-3 times the standard rate. Instead, go directly to the taxi queue.

Buses are frequent and convenient, with routes connecting many parts of the city. Bus passengers may be prone to petty theft and pickpocketing. Tickets for the bus cost about 2 RMB depending on the distance traveled.

Shenyang has three metro lines: runs east-west, runs north-south, and connects between both lines. Metro tickets cost about 2 RMB depending on the distance traveled.

Shenyang links via high-speed rail lines to many major cities, including , Changchun, Harbin, Dandong, and Beijing. Slower inter-city rail lines connect Shenyang with dozens of other smaller cities in the northeast. Trains and train stations are extremely overcrowded during holiday travel periods such as the Lunar New Year.

Few taxi drivers, bus operators, or train station attendants speak/read any English. If staying at a hotel, get a hotel business card with the name and address of the hotel in Chinese.

Review OSAC’s report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.

Aviation/Airport Conditions

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of China’s Civil Aviation Authority as compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of China’s air carrier operations. Air travel is relatively efficient in China. Most ticketing agents speak English and there are few reported problems at the Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (SHE).

Terrorism Threat

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Shenyang as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Shenyang experienced no incidents related to terrorism in 2019. There is no significant transnational terrorist presence known in China. Human rights organizations maintain that China uses counterterrorism as a pretext to suppress Uighurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group that comprises a large percentage of the population in Xinjiang, northeastern China.

6 Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

Civil Unrest

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Shenyang as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Police are generally quick to react to violent outbreaks, sometimes using force to subdue disturbances. The government remains focused on maintaining social stability and preventing civil unrest over economic and social grievances.

The Chinese government controls all information available to Chinese citizens by censoring topics in books, social media, news outlets, radio broadcasts, billboards, and magazines. Most Chinese citizens are unaware of controversial Chinese issues well known outside of China. Geopolitical events often influence the occurrence of political demonstrations, but such demonstrations are rarely out of the control of Chinese security services.

Protests outside of official U.S. facilities occur occasionally, but gatherings are typically small, relatively peaceful, and generally focused against the Chinese government.

Religious/Ethnic Violence

The government remains focused on maintaining social stability and preventing civil unrest over economic and social grievances. In recent years, the largest and most violent incidents have taken place in ethnic minority areas (Tibet, Xinjiang) where grievances over human rights abuses and discriminatory policies have resulted in spontaneous outbursts of violence targeting the government and Han Chinese interests.

Post-specific Concerns

Environmental Hazards

Earthquakes, floods, mudslides, and other natural disasters are common throughout China and can occur at any time with little or no warning.

The largest environmental hazard affecting northeastern China is the bitter cold. Temperatures often remain well below freezing for several months; heavy snowstorms can leave motorists stranded and bring cities to a standstill.

Other natural disasters include the threat of typhoons along the coastal region.

Critical Infrastructure Concerns

Accidents and fatalities continue to plague China’s heavy industries. Worker safety and quality assurance procedures have improved slightly, but typically do not meet Western standards. Commercial transportation accidents involving motorized vehicles are common. Trucks are often overloaded and drivers are poorly trained. Bus accidents are also common in China. Poor driver training, overloaded buses, and the lack of safety checks are major contributors to accidents.

Over the past few years, several gas pipeline explosions leading to building fires and other damage have occurred in the Shenyang area.

7 Economic Espionage/Intellectual Property Theft

There is no expectation of privacy in public or private locations. The Consulate regularly receives reports of human and technical monitoring of U.S. businesspersons and other visiting U.S. citizens. The areas around U.S. and other foreign diplomatic facilities and residences are under overt physical and video surveillance; China stations security personnel U.S. facilities and around U.S. residences; and CCTV cameras are visible throughout Shanghai. Overt microphones and video cameras are common in Chinese taxis.

Activities and conversations in hotel rooms (including meeting rooms), offices, cars, and taxis are subject to onsite or remote monitoring. Authorities may access hotel rooms, residences, and offices at any time without the occupants’ consent or knowledge. Authorities may search personal possessions, including computers, in hotel rooms without the knowledge or consent of the owner. Elevators and public areas of housing compounds are under continuous surveillance.

Consulate employees do not discuss sensitive information in their homes, vehicles, or offices. Private- sector travelers should take similar precautions to safeguard sensitive, personal, and/or proprietary information. Be particularly mindful that it is Chinese policy to take trade secrets, negotiating positions, and other business-sensitive information to share with China-based competitors, counterparts, and/or Chinese regulatory and legal entities. Several U.S. firms have complained about theft of intellectual property, and are pursuing legal action in Chinese courts. A lack of transparency regarding business practices is as a danger for foreigners conducting business in China. Do not bring any electronics (personal or work) with sensitive information you do not want compromised.

Counterfeit products such as pharmaceuticals, DVDs and designer handbags, are readily available, but it is illegal to import them into the U.S. U.S. Customs officials have the authority to seize suspect goods and impose fines on travelers caught attempting to enter the U.S. with counterfeit items.

Personal Identity Concerns

Nationalism is rising quickly. In altercations between foreigners and Chinese, authorities usually blame the foreigner and find them at fault.

Although many women experience workplace sexual harassment, very few report it. One survey shows nearly 40% of women in China said they had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. The Law on the Protection of Women’s Rights and Interests empowers victims to file a sexual harassment complaint with their employer, authorities, or both. Employers who fail to take effective measures to prevent sexual harassment could receive fines. Many women remain unwilling to report incidents of sexual harassment, believing the justice system is ineffectual. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for female travelers.

China does not legally recognize same-sex marriages. Local authorities will not provide marriage certificates to same-sex couples. There are no civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity, though same-sex sexual acts are no longer illegal. Prejudices and discrimination still exist in many parts of the country. There are growing LGBTI+ communities in some of China’s largest cities and violence against LGBTI+ individuals in China is relatively rare.

8 LGBTI+ individuals report incidents of violence, including domestic violence. LGBTI+ individuals encounter difficulties in seeking legal redress, since regulations on domestic violence, including the Family Violence Law, do not include recognition of same-sex relations. Redress is limited further by societal discrimination and traditional norms, resulting in most LGBTI+ persons refraining to publicly discuss their sexual orientation or gender identity. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers.

U.S. citizens with mobility disabilities may face challenges while traveling in China. Sidewalks often do not have curb cuts and many streets can be crossed only via pedestrian bridges or underpasses accessible by staircase. Assistive technologies for blind people and those with other vision disabilities are unreliable, and access to elevators in public buildings can be restricted. In major cities, public restrooms in places visited by tourists usually have a least one accessible toilet. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for travelers with disabilities.

In 2018, the central government implemented revisions to the Regulations on Religious Affairs. The revisions require religious groups to register with the government, increase penalties for “providing facilities” for unauthorized religious activities, and restrict contact with overseas religious institutions. These measures also included a new requirement for religious groups to seek approval to travel abroad and a prohibition on “accepting domination by external forces.” Citing these revised religious regulations, local authorities detained hundreds of members of the Early Rain Church – Chengdu’s largest house church – in 2018. Chinese authorities have detained, fined, and revoked the Chinese visas of U.S. citizens who security personnel alleged to have engaged in unauthorized religious activities while in China.

China continues its campaign of mass detention of members of Muslim minority groups in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang). Authorities have arbitrarily detained more than one million Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and other Muslims in extrajudicial internment camps designed to erase religious and ethnic identities. Chinese government officials justified the camps under the pretense of combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism. International media, human rights organizations, and former detainees reported security officials in the camps abused, tortured, and killed detainees. Government documents, as published by international media, corroborated the coercive nature of the campaign and its impact on members of Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang and abroad. Review OSAC’s report, Freedom to Practice, and the State Department’s webpage on security for faith-based travelers.

Authorities have interrogated or detained U.S. citizens and those from other countries visiting or resident in China for reasons purportedly related to state security. In such circumstances, individuals could face arrest, detention, or an exit ban prohibiting departure from China for a prolonged period. Dual U.S.- Chinese nationals and U.S. citizens of Chinese heritage may be at a higher risk of facing such special scrutiny. The Chinese government uses exit bas coercively to compel U.S. citizens to participate in Chinese government investigations; to lure individuals back to China from abroad; to aid Chinese authorities in resolving civil disputes in favor of Chinese parties.

In the past few years, U.S. citizens with Tibetan ethnic or family ties reported having to undergo a discriminatory Chinese visa application process, different from what is typically required of most travelers to China, at Chinese embassies and consulates in the U.S. Chinese authorities regularly denied their visa applications. On several occasions, Chinese authorities barred the entry into China of several U.S. citizens with Tibetan ethnic or family ties, despite their having valid Chinese visas in their U.S. passports.

Travelers with ethnic or familial ties to the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region may experience special restrictions, discrimination, and even arbitrary detention.

9 Drug-related Crimes

Chinese law enforcement authorities have little tolerance for illegal drugs. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in China are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences, heavy fines, or the death penalty. China convicts and executes more people for drug offences than anywhere else in the world, according to NGOs. Illicit drugs remain available to Chinese and expatriates alike. Authorities occasionally detain foreigners on drug charges. Police regularly conduct unannounced drug tests on people suspected of drug use and have been known to enter a bar or nightclub and subject all patrons to immediate drug testing. Police may force you to provide a urine, blood, or hair follicle sample on short notice. A positive finding, even if the drug was legal elsewhere or consumed prior to arriving in China, can lead to immediate detention, fines, deportation, and/or a ban from re-entering China.

Drug-related crimes do not appear to be a significant issue affecting the U.S. private sector.

China major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle region of Southeast Asia. There is growing domestic consumption of synthetic drugs and heroin from Southeast and Southwest Asia. China is a source country for methamphetamine and heroin chemical precursors, despite new regulations on its large chemical industry.

Kidnapping Threat

Kidnappings occur mostly over business disputes; one might better categorize them as “unlawful detentions,” often in the office or hotel room of the victim. The kidnappers may allow the victim to use their mobile phone (to arrange the resolution of the dispute); immediately call the police for assistance. Some local businesspersons who feel wronged by a foreign business partner may hire “debt collectors” to harass and intimidate the foreigner in hopes of collecting the debt. Foreign managers or company owners have been physically “held hostage” as leverage during dispute negotiations. The U.S. Department of State has no legal or law enforcement authority, and can neither involve itself in private disputes nor give legal advice.

In some cases, labor disputes have resulted not only in protracted stoppages, but also in temporary detention of expatriate managers by workers demanding continued employment or enhanced severance packages.

There have also been reports of taxi drivers transporting passengers to remote locations and forcing them to pay a fee under threat of injury. Such reports are relatively rare, and are often secondhand, circular accounts.

Review OSAC’s report, Kidnapping: The Basics.

10 Other Issues

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): In 2017, China implemented a law regulating the operations of foreign NGOs in China. This law requires foreign NGOs to obtain sponsorship from a Chinese government body as part of the registration process administered by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and may limit the scope of foreign NGO activities and sources of funding. The law also states that foreign NGOs must not undermine or damage China’s national interests. The MPS has published foreign NGO registration guidelines on its website, although some requirements and procedures remain unclear. Employees of foreign NGOs in China should be aware that the Chinese government’s application, interpretation, and implementation of these guidelines could vary widely by location and case. Any entity that the government might characterize as a foreign NGO, particularly those working in sensitive areas or fields, should consult with a local lawyer regarding the law's requirements and procedures for registration.

Foreigners working for NGOs in China have recently faced additional scrutiny. Ensure proper visa status to conduct activities in China. Authorities have interrogated and threatened with arrest foreign and Chinese NGO representatives for conducting activities while the NGO was not properly registered.

Police Response

The emergency line in China is 110. Those who do not speak Mandarin can ask to speak to an English- speaking officer, but very few English speakers staff this hotline. Visitors to China must report any criminal victimization to the police while in China; Chinese authorities will ignore any attempt to do so while outside of China.

Policing in China is different from U.S. policing; preserving social harmony is a large component of the Chinese policing doctrine. Depending on the crime, police may ask to negotiate for monetary damages with the alleged victim. If everyone agrees with a monetary arrangement, no further legal issue exists. The Chinese police training system has not yet evolved into one sympathetic to victims. Regardless of the crime, the victim must visit the nearest police station to report it. The victim must have the evidence to support his or her claims and could likely have the assailant present in the same room while they narrate the incident to the police. The role of the police at that time is to assist in negotiating a financial solution to the problem. The victim should not expect expressions of sympathy or support.

Police response to foreign victims of crime depends upon the type of infraction, location where it transpired, and the social status of the victim (e.g. private citizen, diplomat, VIP). Urban forces have better training and equipment, especially in first-tier cities, where authorities spend millions of dollars on security-related infrastructure. Local police are somewhat effective at deterring crime. Most responses to alarms and emergency calls are sufficiently prompt if the police know that the victim is a Westerner or a person of importance. In many cases, local police authorities will serve as a mediator between the victim and criminal to agree upon financial compensation, sometimes in lieu of jail time.

Investigative training and forensic equipment are improving but remain substandard compared to Western countries. Authorities never provide reports of investigations to Embassy or Consulate Regional Security Office, despite repeated formal requests.

Police officers have the right to assess fines at the scene of an incident. Westerners may perceive this as soliciting a bribe, but it is not.

11 Police have the authority to detain and deport foreigners for a wide variety of reasons. Police may detain foreigners who do not have their passport with them.

Police have reported that they are increasingly arresting foreigners for being out of status related to their Chinese visas. The police have conducted arrest sweeps at English language schools, where foreigners were working, but considered out of status with their visas.

If police arrest a U.S. citizen, the U.S.-China Consular Convention requires Chinese authorities to notify the nearest U.S. Embassy/Consulate of the arrest within four days. If a U.S. traveler with dual citizenship entered China using a non-U.S. passport, authorities are not required to notify the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. Typically, the police will not allow anyone other than a consular officer to visit the traveler during the initial detention period. Authorities rarely grant bail, and detainees can be subject to detention for many months before being granted a trial. Arguments concerning comparisons with the U.S. judicial system are largely ineffective. The U.S Government and its laws do not have jurisdiction in China.

If your passport is stolen, you must not only apply for a new passport at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but you must also apply for a new visa. To receive a new visa, you must file a police report at the police station nearest to where the theft occurred. You must also file a report at the local Entry/Exit Bureau.

Although police officers in some Chinese cities have begun carrying firearms, most officers on the street remain unarmed. Armed specialized units (SWAT) sometimes augment patrol officers. SWAT officers occasionally deploy during special events, at air and railway stations, and in response to protests or demonstrations. Police in Shanghai are increasingly using body cameras to record their interactions with the public.

Chinese law enforcement relies heavily on the large volume of cameras to police public areas, and makes regular use of their facial recognition technology. In addition, businesses must install camera systems with a 45-day capacity for digital video recording (DVR), which serves as a crime deterrent (despite privacy concerns). This technology also monitors any kind of protest activity, which will normally prompt a robust police response.

Download the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.

Medical Emergencies

The medical emergency line in China is 120. English-speaking dispatchers are limited.

The standards of medical care in China are not equivalent to those in the U.S. Western-style medical facilities with some international staff are available in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and a few other large cities. Although medical care continues to improve in many urban areas, it continues to lag in northeastern China. Because Western medical centers are not prevalent in northeastern China, U.S. citizens generally should seek out hospitals with VIP sections (gao gan bing fang) or Special Needs wards (te xu), which may be more likely to have reasonably up-to-date medical technology and skilled physicians who typically speak English. Rural areas have rudimentary facilities and inadequate staffing. Medical personnel in rural areas have often received poor training and have limited access to medical equipment or medications. Rural clinics are often reluctant to accept responsibility for treating foreigners, even in emergency situations.

12 Municipal and private ambulance services in China remain substandard. Response time is typically very slow, and transport to the nearest hospital can take a considerable amount of time due to traffic congestion. Ambulances do not typically carry sophisticated medical equipment, and ambulance personnel generally have limited Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training and/or English-language skills. As a result, injured or seriously ill U.S. patients may need to take taxis or other vehicles to the nearest major hospital.

Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the Embassy’s Medical Assistance page.

Most hospitals will not accept medical insurance from the U.S. Hospitals in major cities may accept credit cards for payment, but U.S. citizens have frequently encountered difficulty due to cultural and regulatory differences. Travelers typically must post a deposit prior to admission to cover the expected cost of treatment. Consider buying foreign medical care and medical evacuation (medevac) insurance prior to arrival. Consult with your medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether the policy applies overseas, and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medevac. If your health insurance policy provides coverage outside the United States, carry both your insurance policy identity card as proof and a claim form. Although many health insurance companies will pay "customary and reasonable" hospital costs abroad, very few will pay for your medical evacuation back to the United States. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the State Department’s webpage on insurance overseas.

Poor air quality is often an issue in China. Find air quality ratings for Beijing and other U.S. Mission China posts at the Air Quality Index website. Pollutants such as particle pollution are linked to a number of significant health effects. Those effects are likely to be more severe for sensitive populations, including people with heart or lung disease, children, and older adults. Travelers with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular health conditions should speak with their health care provider prior to traveling to Chinese cities with poor air quality.

Carry prescription medication in original packaging, along with the prescription. Many common U.S. drugs and medications are not available in China, and counterfeit, low-quality knockoffs are prevalent. If you try to have medications sent to you from outside China, you may have problems getting Chinese Customs to release them and/or you may have to pay high customs duties. Review OSAC’s report, Traveling with Medication.

The following diseases are prevalent: influenza; typhoid; measles; hepatitis A; hepatitis B; and tuberculosis. No China-specific vaccinations are required, but some are recommended. Rh-negative blood may be difficult to obtain; the blood type of the general Asian populace is Rh-positive. The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for China.

Review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, I’m Drinking What in My Water?, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad.

OSAC Country Council Information

Although U.S. Consulate Shenyang does not host an active OSAC Country Council, the Regional Security Office (RSO) routinely receives individual requests for information from the U.S. private sector. Interested private-sector security managers should contact OSAC’s Asia-Pacific team with any questions.

13 U.S. Consulate Contact Information

#52, 14 Wei Road, Heping District, Shenyang 110003 Hours: Monday-Friday, 0800-1700 (except U.S. and Chinese holidays) Website: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/embassy-consulates/shenyang/ Consulate Operator: +86-24-2322-1198 Emergency calls after normal business hours: +86-028-8558 3992

Other U.S. Diplomatic Posts in China

• Embassy Beijing: No. 55 An Jia Lou Lu, Beijing 100600, +86-10-8531-3000. • Consulate Chengdu: No. 4 Lingshiguan Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041. +86-28-8558-3992. • Consulate Guangzhou: Huaxia Road, Zhujiang New Town,Tianhe District, Guangzhou. +86-20- 3814-5000. • Consulate Shanghai: 1469 Huai Hai Zhong Road, Shanghai 200031. +86-21 8011-2200. • Consulate Wuhan: Room 4701, New World International Trade Tower I, No. 568, Jianshe Avenue, Jianghan District, Wuhan 430022. +86-27-8555-7791.

Helpful Information

Before you travel, consider the following resources:

• OSAC Risk Matrix • OSAC Travelers Toolkit • State Department Traveler’s Checklist • Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) • China Country Information

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