From CA Travel Info September 22, 2008

 MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:  The standards of medical care in China are not equivalent to those in the United States.  Medical facilities with international staffs are available in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and a few other large cities.  Many other hospitals in major Chinese cities have so-called VIP wards (gaogan bingfang).  These feature reasonably up-to-date laboratory and imaging facilities.  The physicians in these centers are generally well-trained.  Most VIP wards also provide medical services to foreigners and have English-speaking doctors and nurses.  Most hospitals in China will not accept medical insurance from the United States, with the exception of the following hospitals, which are on the Blue Cross Blue Shield’s worldwide network providers - overseas network hospitals’ list (http://www.bcbs.com/bluecardworldwide/index.html): Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, Beijing United Family Hospital, Beijing Friendship Hospital, International Medical Center in Beijing, and Peking Union Medical Center.  Cash payment for services is often demanded before a patient is seen and treated, sometimes even in cases of emergency. Travelers will be asked to post a deposit prior to admission to cover the expected cost of treatment.  Hospitals in major cities may accept credit cards for payment.  Even in the VIP/foreigner wards of major hospitals, however, American patients have frequently encountered difficulty due to cultural, language, and regulatory differences.  Physicians and hospitals have sometimes refused to supply American patients with complete copies of their Chinese hospital medical records, including laboratory test results, scans, and x-rays.
 
Note: Travelers should note that commonly used American medication is generally not available in China.  Medications that bear the same or similar name to prescription medication from the United States are not always the same.  Americans should make sure to carry their prescriptions from their doctors if carrying prescription medication into China for personal use.

Read more about: Ambulences, international SOS, medical emergencies, and more.

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From CA Travel Info September 22, 2008

 INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME:  The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance.  The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred.  Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.   China has a system similar to "911" in the United States which the Chinese can use to contact police or other emergency services.  Americans can call 110 while in China to reach this service; however, there are few to no English speakers working for this hotline.

See our information on Victims of Crime.

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From CA Travel Info September 22, 2008

 CRIME:  China has a low crime rate.  Pickpockets target tourists at sightseeing destinations, open-air markets, airports, and in stores, often with the complicity of low-paid security guards.  Americans are perceived as wealthy and may be specifically targeted by petty criminals.  Violence against foreigners, while rare, is on the increase.  Over the past year, incidents of violence against foreigners, including sexual assaults, have taken place, usually in urban areas where bars and nightclubs are located.  Robberies, sometimes at gunpoint, have occurred in western China and more recently in Beijing.  There have been some reports of robberies and assaults along remote mountain highways near China’s border with Nepal.  Travelers are sometimes asked by locals to exchange money at a preferential rate.  It is illegal to exchange dollars for RMB except at banks, hotels, and official exchange offices.  Due to the large volume of counterfeit currency in China, unofficial exchanges usually result in travelers losing their money and possibly facing charges of breaking foreign exchange laws.  If detained by police under suspicion of committing an economic crime involving currency, travelers may be delayed for weeks or months while police investigate the allegations.

Read on for more about: attacks on foreigners, nationalism, deportation, counterfeit money, tourist/tea scams, robbery, hotel guests, relationship fraud, airport tax, passport safety, and pirated goods.

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From September 22, 2008 CA Travel

SAFETY AND SECURITY:  Americans visiting or residing in China are advised to take routine safety precautions; that is, travelers should remain aware of their surroundings and of events happening around them.  Travelers should respect local police requirements to avoid travel in some areas.  In light of the greatly increased numbers of older Americans traveling to China, Americans should verify with U.S. tour operators that local guides being used are familiar with medical facilities and emergency medical evacuation procedures.

Read on for more about: gas appliances, security presonnel, communication monitoring by Chinese govt, taking photos, terrorism, business disputes, violence, detaining of American citizens, schemes, and latest security information.

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