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Country Profile for CHINA |
Risk Rating |
General Information |
Country Map |
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Red (High Risk)
InTouch advice:
Most parts of the country are dangerous. Do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Amber (Moderate Risk) InTouch advice: Some parts of the country are dangerous. Travel with caution. Green (Low Risk) InTouch advice: Most parts of the country are safe. Travel freely. |
Capital: Beijing Major Languages: Mandarin Currency: Chinese Yuan Timezone: GMT +8:00 |
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Overview
Overview
The Chinese economy has grown rapidly in recent years, and is widely expected to overtake the U.S. in terms of GDP by the end of the decade. This economic growth was clearly evident during the now iconic 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the country is an increasingly popular destination for tourists.
Many visits to the country pass without incident and there are limited security concerns facing travellers. Petty crime levels, although relatively low, have been on the increase as economic and social pressures take effect upon the countries poor. For the same reasons incidents of civil unrest are also reported to be increasing as millions face unemployment. It is recommended that all visitors avoid large public demonstrations as a precaution.
A number of violent attacks have been reported in the north western Xinjiang province. The attacks have been attributed to Uighur separatists. Similarly tensions exist in Tibet and travellers to both regions should exercise caution.
Alerts
Alert for China
Protests held at chemical plant over pollution fears - 16 May 2013:
Thousands of people have gathered in the southern city of Kunming to protest against the environmental impact of a proposed chemical plant. Opponents say the plant, which would produce gasoline and petrochemicals, will pollute the air and local water sources.
Deadly clashes in Xinjiang province - 24 April 2013:
At least 21 people, including 15 police officers and local officials, have been killed in clashes in China's western Xinjiang province. According to state media the unrest began when officials searched houses for weapons, adding that six gang members were among the dead.
Earthquake kills more than 160 - 20 April 2013:
An earthquake in south-west China has killed at least 160 people and left thousands more injured. The 6.6 magnitude quake caused widespread devastation in Lushan county in the rural province of Sichuan. The region suffered a 7.9 quake in 2008, which killed more than 90,000 people.
Two confirmed deaths in bird flu outbreak - 1 April 2013:
Government officials in the city of Shanghai are activating an emergency response plan after two people died of a lesser-known strain of bird flu. The deaths are the first from the H7N9 strain of the virus, while other cases of infection have been reported in the eastern city of Nanjing.
China arrests 70 in Tibet crackdown - 07 February 2013:
Chinese authorities have arrested 70 people in Tibet in a crackdown on dissent and anti-government protests. Around 100 Tibetan monks have set themselves on fire since 2009, which the Chinese government has blamed on the Dalai Lama.
China uses radar lock on Japanese navy ship - 06 February 2013:
Japan has said that a Chinese military vessel has used a radar lock on a Japanese navy ship. Japan's prime minister has called the incident a "dangerous act" and called for Chinese "self-restraint". There has been escalating tension between the two states over the disputed islands in the East China Sea.
Chinese journalists strike against censorship - 07 January 2013:
Journalists in China have gone on strike in a protest against censorship after their paper was forced to change a New Year editorial. The Southern Weekly in Guangdong province were told to change the editorial calling for political reform into a tribute praising the Communist Party.
Panasonic suspends operations amid anti-Japan protesters - 17 September 2012:
Panasonic has closed two of its factories in Qingdao after they were attacked by anti-Japan protesters. Similar protests have been reported across the country after Japan agreed to buy a group of disputed islands from a private landowner.
Anti-Japan protests reported across China - 19 August 2012:
Anti-Japanese protests have taken place across China in response to Japanese nationalists raising their country's flag on disputed islands in the South China Sea. There has been increasing diplomatic tensions between the two countries over the islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.
Workers clash with police in Guangdong province - 27 June 2012:
Clashes have erupted between migrant workers and police in the Shaxi township in Zhongshan City. According to local authorities 20 people were arrested during the unrest.
Suicide bomber kills two in Yunnan - 10 May 2012:
Three people have been killed and 14 others wounded after a woman blew herself up in Yunnan province. The woman was reportedly protesting the demolition of her house in Zhaotong city.
Xinjiang violence leaves a dozen dead - 29 February 2012:
At least 12 people have been killed in riots in the north-western city of Kashgar in Xinjiang province. A group of ethnic Uighurs reportedly attacked a market in the town, before police arrived on the scene and shot dead five of the assailants.
Foreign journalists warned over Chinese intimidation - 20 February 2012:
The Foreign Correspondents Club in China has warned foreign journalists after three European media officials were attacked by security forces while reporting on a land rights protest in Zhejiang province. The Chinese government has said that foreign journalists are free to report in the country, with the exception of Tibet.
Dozens killed after days of rain - 20 September, 2011:
Floods and landslides in China caused by a week of heavy rain have killed at least 57 people and forced more than a million from their homes. Officials said 12.3 million people were affected in Sichuan, Henan and Shaanxi provinces - in the south-west, centre and north of China.
Civilians killed in Xinjiang street attack - 31 July 2011:
At least six people have been killed in a street attack in the city of Kashgar in Xinjiang province. Two men are believed to have carried out the attack, hijacking a truck before driving it into a crowd of people. Two small explosions were also reported in the city, killing three more people. Early indications suggest that the incidents are linked to Uighur separatists.
Government claim terrorist responsible for police attacks - 19 July 2011:
The Chinese government have blamed terrorists for an attack on a police station in Xinjiang province which left at least four people dead. Xinjiang is home to a large Uighur population and ethnic tensions often lead to clashes with security forces.
Man arrested after Shanghai supermarket bombing - 05 July 2011:
Police have arrested a man accused of remotely detonating an explosive device in a Shanghai supermarket. No people were injured by the blast although the building was damaged. No motive has been established for the attack.
Government buildings hit by multiple explosions - 26 May 2011:
At least two people have been killed after three explosions struck government buildings in China's eastern Jiangxi province. The first bomb went off outside the public prosecutor's office at 0900, followed 30 minutes later by blasts at the Linchuan district government administrative building and another at the local drug administration bureau. The cause of the blasts is currently being investigated.
Data
China Data Sheet
Population: 1.35 billion
Major Religion/s: : Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism
International dialling code: +86
International dialling prefix: 00
Emergency services: Police 110, Medical 120, Fire 119
Drives: Right
Voltage: 220V
Climate: Varies from Temperate, Sub-tropical and tropical
Other Major Cities: Shanghai, Tianjin, Wuhan, Shenyang, Guangzhou
Borders: Mongolia, Russia, North Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan
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Journalists Under Attack
Journalists Under Attack
- 18 Apr 2013 Journalist killed in construction accident
1 journalist casualties. - 10 Mar 2013 Anger over attack on HK journalists in Beijing
- 13 Jan 2013 Reporters beaten while investigating illegal sewage treatment in south China
- 09 Aug 2012 Masked men attack Hong Kong newspaper office
- 18 May 2012 China: Fifth local journalist beaten in a month
- 16 Feb 2012 Journalists attached while covering land dispute
- 29 Nov 2011 Three journalists assaulted in China
- 19 Sep 2011 Li Xiang
1 journalist casualties.
Media Safety
Media Safety
- 18 Apr 2013 Journalist killed in construction accident
A female journalist died and another was seriously injured in an accident while interviewing ... - 10 Mar 2013 Anger over attack on HK journalists in Beijing
Hong Kong journalists have condemned an attack on two cameramen outside the Beijing home ... - 13 Jan 2013 Reporters beaten while investigating illegal sewage treatment in south China
Zhao Xi, a CCTV reporter, was attacked and received head injuries covering a story ... - 09 Aug 2012 Masked men attack Hong Kong newspaper office
Police are hunting four assailants who strode into the offices of a radical online ... - 18 May 2012 China: Fifth local journalist beaten in a month
Original headline: Fifth local journalist in a month beaten Another award-wining news photographer was beaten up ... - 16 Feb 2012 Journalists attached while covering land dispute
The Committee to Protect Journalists is disturbed by a series of violent attacks on ... - 29 Nov 2011 Three journalists assaulted in China
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply concerned by reports that at least ... - 19 Sep 2011 Li Xiang
A Chinese journalist who had been following a scandal involving the sale of cooking ...