The People's Republic of China was established on October 1, 1949, with Beijing as its capital city. With well over 1.3 billion citizens, China is the world's most populous country and the third largest country in the world in terms of territory.
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China is undergoing rapid, profound economic and social change and development. Political power remains centralized in the Chinese Communist Party. Modern tourist facilities are available in major cities, but many facilities in smaller provincial cities and rural areas are frequently below international standards.
CRIME: Overall, China is a safe country, with a low but increasing crime rate. Pickpockets target tourists at sightseeing destinations, open air markets and in stores, often with the complicity of low-paid security guards. Violence against foreigners occurs, but it is rare.
Throughout China, women outside hotels in tourist districts frequently use the prospect of companionship or sex to lure foreign men to isolated locations where accomplices are waiting for the purpose of robbery. Travellers should not allow themselves to be driven to bars or an individual's home unless they know the person making the offer.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Western style medical facilities with international staffs are available in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and a few other large cities. Many other hospitals in major Chinese cities have so-called VIP wards (gaogan bingfang). These feature reasonably up-to-date medical technology and physicians who are both knowledgeable and skilled. Most VIP wards also provide medical services to foreigners and have English-speaking doctors and nurses. Most hospitals in China will not accept medical insurance. Travellers will be asked to post a deposit prior to admission to cover the expected cost of treatment. Many hospitals in major cities may accept credit cards for payment. Even in the VIP/Foreigner wards of major hospitals, however,
Ambulances do not carry sophisticated medical equipment, and ambulance personnel generally have little or no medical training. Therefore, injured or seriously ill travellers may be required to take taxis or other immediately available vehicles to the nearest major hospital rather than waiting for ambulances to arrive. In rural areas, only rudimentary medical facilities are generally available. Medical personnel in rural areas are often poorly trained, have little medical equipment or availability to medications. Rural clinics are often reluctant to accept responsibility for treating foreigners, even in emergency situations.
Arthropodborne diseases:
We recommend:
Water- and foodborne diseases:
Other diseases:
Vaccination recommended:
Stay healthy:
Recommended prophylaxis in risk areas: chloroquine; in Hainan and Yunnan, mefloquine.(chloroquine resistance)
Compulsory vaccinations: yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas Foreigners planning to stay for over one year must undergo a medical examination for: AIDS, venereal disease, leprosy, progressive pulmonary tuberculosis and mental disorders. Visitors planning to stay for less than one year must state their physical condition on a form supplied at the point of entry.
Recommended immunisations: diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *Japanese B encephalitis, *malaria, *polio, *TB, tetanus, typhoid * recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.
Risks: malaria exists mainly in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Sichuan, Xizang (only the valley of the Zangbo River in the extreme south east) & Yunnan. There is very low risk in Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shandong, Shanghai & Zhejiang. Where transmission exists, it occurs below 1,500 metres from Jul-Nov north of latitude 33°N, from May-Dec between 33°N & 25°N, and throughout the year south of 25°N. There is no malaria risk in urban areas or in the densely populated plain areas. Tourists do not need to take preventative treatment unless they plan to stay in remote rural areas in the above provinces. Rabies.
Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:
Yellow fever vaccination requirements and recommendations and malaria situation in China
Food and Water Safety
HIV Risk
Check travelers health risks by CDC before, after and while traveling to China and prevention before arrival at China.
Travel data, health safety, warnings and recommendations for Canadian who willing to visit China