Emergency Numbers in China

Life in China is pretty safe, but what do you do when the unexpected happens? Make sure you know the emergency numbers in China, just in case.

Emergency Numbers in China

The following numbers can be contacted for emergency services all over China except for 999 which is exclusive to Beijing.

Police: 110
Police (texting ONLY): 12110
Ambulance: 120 and 999
Fire: 119
Car Accident: 122
PSB Expat Hotline: 6525 5456

The main emergency numbers in China are 110 for the police, 120 for an ambulance, and 119 for the fire department. All three numbers can be called free of charge.

What is 911 in China?

110 generally may be called for any type of emergency, similar to 911 in other countries, and it will put you in contact with the police. Call 110 if you lose something, feel you are in danger or need any emergency assistance. If you are unable to make a call, you may send a text message to 12110 followed by your city's area code. Here are the phone area codes and the text-only police numbers for the top cities for expats in China:

Is the ambulance free in China?

No, ambulance services are not free in China. Most ambulances are fitted with a taxi-style meter, and the minimum transport fee is usually around 50 yuan ($7.70). Additional charges may incur for any pre-hospital treatments that is not covered by your insurance.

Do emergency numbers in China offer English services?

No, except for some major cities in China, such as Beijing or Shanghai, but even then, you are still likely to encounter some communication issues. Speaking Chinese would definitely help in such stressful situations, and if you don't, you may want to enlist a local's assistance.

Useful Phrases for Calling Emergency Numbers in China

Calling Emergency Numbers in China: Some Things to Keep in Mind

1. If you are in Beijing (or other similarly congested areas), you are familiar with the egregious traffic. This may delay emergency vehicles from reaching you in a timely manner.

If you are hurt or ill, you may want to try going to the hospital on your own.

2. When reporting an incident, give as many details as you can. Give your name, location, and briefly describe the problem. If you do not know your exact location, tell emergency responders what landmarks are nearby.
3. If your passport is lost or stolen, call your embassy or consulate.
4. If you are arrested or detained, call your embassy or consulate.

(Some) Embassy Addresses in Beijing

Australia

21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie
Beijing, China 100600
Phone: (010) 5140 4111

Canada

19 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
Beijing, China 100600
Phone: +86(10) 5139-4000

Spain

9 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District
Beijing, China 100600
Phone: (+86) 10 6532 3629

United Kingdom

11 Guang Hua Lu, Jian Guo Men Wai
Beijing, China 100600
Phone: +86 (0) 10 8529 6600

United States of America

55 Anjialou Rd, Chaoyang District
Beijing, China 100600
Phone: (86-10) 8531-3000

If you don't know where to locate your embassy or consulate's information, visit the Embassy Pages website and find your country and the location of the embassy or consulate nearest where you are staying in China. Be sure to confirm that the information listed is accurate!

We highly recommend knowing where your embassy or consulate is and how to contact them BEFORE arriving in China.

It is also a good idea to make sure someone you trust in China has the contact information of a friend or family member back home.

Want to improve your Chinese in case you need to call an emergency number in China？You may be interested in our Chinese classes.

About the Author

Eden has been learning Chinese since 2008. She fell in love with the language, food, and culture and never looked back! Eden lived in China for six years, including in Harbin, Beijing, and Dali.