Legal Matters

When it comes to legal issues, there are certain things acceptable in your countries that are prohibited in China. It is important that you know the differences in law so that you don't accidentally commit a crime when you're in China. During the entire course of your trip, you have to abide by the laws of the Chinese government-- if you are found guilty of a crime, you will be prosecuted and sentenced according to the local law, which can be quite harsh compared to Western standards and human rights is not really the order of things there.

All matters prohibited in Western countries, such as possession of firearms or explosives, illegal substances, theft, causing bodily harm and others are also punishable in China. Foreigners from more liberal cultures tend to see no wrong in certain matters considered unlawful by local standards, and therefore may commit a crime or two unknowingly. When arrested, they can be fined, imprisoned or deported, depending on the sentencing given by the local legal authorities. In the event that you are caught for committing a crime, notify your embassy immediately, so that your country can negotiate for more lenient sentencing. For serious offenses however (drug-related crimes included) even your country may not be able to help you out.

First of all, the law in China prohibits public demonstration without prior permission by the Public Security Bureau. The proselytizing of religion and the distribution of religious materials is also against the law. If you are known to possess any documents, literature and letters considered pornographic or politically harmful to the China’s political, cultural, economical or ethical well-being, you can be prosecuted. You are also not allowed to possess quantities of religious material above that which is required for personal use. The standards of pornography in China are more restricted compared to the Western countries. Certain magazines and advertisements that are deemed very common publications in your country can be considered pornographic by the Chinese government. Some foreigners are also arrested for having indecent sexual relations with local women in their hotels, but there is really no telling how they define 'indecent'. Drugs are to be especially avoided since the punishments for selling or using drugs are almost always very severe.

Also be aware that Internet usage in China can at times be monitored very closely, and accessing or searching for any of the above types of information (religious, anti-government, pornography, etc.) could end up with your internet connection being monitored closely or canceled, and lead to you being questioned by local authorities. Also note that some websites in China (including Yahoo! and Google, when access from within China) will voluntarily report you to the authorities if you are searching for prohibited topics, as part of their agreement which allows them to operate within the Chinese market.

The true reason behind the low crime rate in China is the fact that the government deals very severe sentencing to law offenders. Many local Chinese are executed for very mild criminal acts such as petty theft or public disturbances. The law there is usually more lenient towards foreigners, but the authorities do have the right to execute any criminal as they see fit. At the worst, foreigners are often just sent to prison, unless the crime concerns very severe offenses such as murder or drug-trafficking. Prisons in China are not as comfortable as those in the more affluent countries, and getting assaulted by guards and inmates is rather common. The living conditions and hygiene are also quite appalling. In other words, they are not exactly places of interests in China.

In general, China is a nice place to live and travel, provided that the limits of the law are not tested. The government of China takes good measures to maintain peace on the land and protects both citizens and foreigners from the threat of crime. As long as you stay within the boundaries of law, you'll be fine.