China Emergency Guide: Essential Phone Numbers & Safety Tips for Expats & Travelers
⚠️ Important Notice:
Save these numbers. They can be dialed free of charge even if your phone has no SIM card, is out of credit, or only shows “Emergency Calls Only”.
Core Emergency Numbers
- 110 (Police): Dial for criminal offenses, public security issues, or life-threatening emergencies such as drowning, suicide attempts, or missing persons.
- 119 (Fire & Rescue): Use for fire alarms and disaster rescue operations, including earthquakes, floods, and hazardous chemical spills.
- 120 (Medical Emergency): Call immediately for sudden illnesses or accidental injuries requiring urgent medical attention.
- 122 (Traffic Accident): Dedicated hotline for reporting road traffic collisions.
Other Vital Support Channels
- 12345 (Government Service Hotline): For non-emergency government inquiries, complaints, or civil disputes (e.g., noise complaints, consumer issues). Many regions now link this directly with 110.
- 96110 (Anti-Fraud Hotline): The official number for reporting, consulting, or receiving warnings about telecom and online scams.
- 12110 (SMS Emergency Platform): If you cannot make a voice call (e.g., during a kidnapping or if you have a hearing impairment), text 12110. Always include your exact location and a brief description of the situation.
Crucial Tips When Calling
- Stay Calm & Be Specific: Clearly state your exact location (include street names, building numbers, or nearby landmarks), the nature of the emergency, and any casualties.
- Don’t Hang Up: Wait for the dispatcher to confirm all details before ending the call. Follow their remote instructions, especially for first aid.
- Keep Your Line Open: Stay reachable after reporting. If possible, send someone to the main road intersection to guide the arriving rescue vehicles.
- Zero Tolerance for False Alarms: Maliciously harassing emergency services or making fake reports is a strict criminal offense in China.
