In any emergency, you need the right number immediately. Save these in your phone contacts before you need them.
Core Emergency Numbers
| Number | Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 110 | Police | Criminal incidents, theft, personal safety threats, lost items, disputes |
| 120 | Ambulance / Medical Emergency | Emergency medical transport to the nearest hospital |
| 119 | Fire | Fire emergencies and rescue operations |
| 122 | Traffic Accident | Road traffic accidents — report immediately and do not move the vehicle until advised |
All four numbers are free to call and work on any phone, including phones without a SIM card and phones with no credit. They are available 24 hours a day, every day.
What to Say on the Call
Emergency operators may not speak English, especially outside major cities. When calling, state:
- Your location — street address, landmark, intersection, or building name. If you do not know, describe what is around you.
- The emergency — use simple words: "fire," "accident," "injury," "theft."
- How many people are involved or injured.
- Your phone number — so they can call back if disconnected.
If you cannot communicate in Chinese, say "English" clearly. Major cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen) have English-speaking operators or a translation service they can connect. In smaller cities, the operator may transfer the call or keep you on the line while finding a colleague who speaks English.
Phrases to know:
| English | Chinese (pinyin) | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | 救命! (jiù mìng!) | Immediate danger |
| I need an ambulance | 我需要救护车 (wǒ xūyào jiùhù chē) | Medical emergency |
| There is a fire | 着火了 (zháo huǒ le) | Fire |
| Someone stole my bag | 我的包被偷了 (wǒ de bāo bèi tōu le) | Theft |
| There was an accident | 出事故了 (chū shìgù le) | Traffic or other accident |
| I am at... | 我在... (wǒ zài...) | Giving your location |
Consular Protection Hotline — 12308
This is the number for foreign nationals needing consular assistance. Dial 12308 (within China) or +86-10-12308 (from abroad).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular protection hotline provides:
- Emergency assistance for foreign nationals in distress
- Guidance on contacting your home country's embassy or consulate
- Multilingual support in English and other major languages
- 24/7 availability
This is not the number to report a crime (use 110 for that). It is for situations where you need consular support: passport emergencies, detention, serious accidents, or when local authorities cannot assist you.
Other Useful Numbers
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 12315 | Consumer complaint hotline — disputes with merchants, overcharging, defective products |
| 12345 | City government service hotline — general information and non-emergency government inquiries |
| 12320 | Public health hotline — disease control information and health inquiries |
| 12110 | SMS police report — send a text message to report a crime if you cannot speak. Include your location and the nature of the emergency |
How to Report a Crime (110)
When calling 110 to report a crime:
- State your name and nationality.
- Describe what happened — what was taken, when, and where.
- Provide any suspect description if applicable.
- Follow the operator's instructions — they may tell you to wait for officers to arrive or to go to a specific police station.
- Do not leave the scene of a theft or attack until police arrive, unless your safety requires it.
After the call, police officers will be dispatched to your location. Response times vary by city and area — central urban areas typically see responses within 5-15 minutes.
What to Do While Waiting for Help
- Stay visible. Move to a well-lit, populated area if safe to do so.
- Keep your phone on and charged. The operator or police may call back.
- Do not chase suspects or engage physically. Your safety is the priority.
- Preserve evidence. Do not touch or move items at a crime scene unless necessary for safety.
- Contact your embassy if the situation involves detention, serious injury, or you are unable to communicate with local authorities.
Emergency Without a Phone
If you do not have a phone:
- Find a police officer on the street (uniformed officers are common in urban areas)
- Go to the nearest police station or police booth
- Enter any hotel, large store, or restaurant and ask staff to call emergency services for you
- Approach a subway or train station staff member — they have direct communication with transit police
