Points to Note:
•For those planning to travel to or stay in Shanghai and surrounding areas, here are some important safety and health considerations.
•As the year-end season approaches, there is typically an increase in business and leisure travelers, which often leads to a higher incidence of issues, accidents, and emergency hospitalizations. Please exercise heightened caution.
•Make sure to take precautions against infectious diseases while traveling or staying abroad. Additionally, consider enrolling in travel insurance that provides comprehensive coverage for sudden illnesses or hospitalizations.
Details
1.Temporary Accommodation Registration
Foreign nationals must complete a “Temporary Accommodation Registration” within 24 hours of arrival in China at the local Public Security Bureau (PSB). Failure to do so may result in warnings or fines. If staying in a hotel or serviced apartment, registration is generally handled by the facility. However, if staying with friends, in company housing, or if hosting visitors from abroad, you must personally ensure registration is completed.
•Instances have been reported where foreign visitors staying with friends were questioned by local police or ordered to report to a station. Prior lack of enforcement does not excuse non-compliance, so please ensure you fulfill this requirement.
•Registration procedures vary by region; consult the nearest PSB station for details. In Shanghai, registration can also be completed online (Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau: https://gaj.sh.gov.cn/crj/24hr/web).
2.Precautions When Going Out
•(1) Remain mindful that you are a foreigner and that some locals may harbor particular sentiments toward Japan. Maintain a degree of caution and appropriate conduct in public. Especially if accompanied by children, consider taking taxis and traveling with multiple guardians to ensure safety.
•(2) Avoid engaging with unknown individuals who approach you, and if you feel threatened, seek assistance from the nearest PSB station or call for help.
•(3) According to Chinese law, foreigners aged 16 or older must carry their passport at all times. Carry only essentials and avoid consolidating valuables in a single place to reduce theft risk. Keep bags secure, especially in crowded areas.
•(4) Follow traffic rules carefully and be alert to your surroundings, even while on sidewalks or crossing streets at green lights.
3.Beware of “Rip-Off” Scams via Dating Apps
Reports continue of scams targeting foreigners in Shanghai, where individuals invited by locals met through dating apps are overcharged at certain establishments. Be cautious when using these apps, and avoid meeting unknown individuals with uncertain backgrounds.
4.Traffic Safety
Traffic violations are prevalent, including signal violations by vehicles and pedestrian use of electric scooters on sidewalks, posing an accident risk. Electric vehicles are often silent, making it difficult to notice them, and right turns on red signals are allowed, unlike in Japan. Remain vigilant, avoid using your phone while walking, and never operate a bicycle after consuming alcohol.
5.Alcohol Consumption
During the winter, alcohol-related incidents, including acute intoxication and suffocation due to vomiting, increase. Take care to avoid excessive drinking, and do not impose drinking on others. Be mindful that Japanese people’s interactions can be easily misunderstood or cause unintended trouble, as Japanese expressions, including certain expletives, are widely recognized here.
6.Health Management
As the season becomes colder and drier, take preventive measures against infections, such as wearing a mask and washing your hands. Winter sees a rise in reports of hospitalizations and deaths, often due to heart attacks and strokes. Maintain a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and limit alcohol intake. Continue any medical treatments you are currently undergoing.
7.Consider Travel Insurance
Many regret not having sufficient insurance coverage after encountering accidents, incidents, or health emergencies. When traveling or staying abroad, ensure you have coverage for unforeseen health issues or hospitalizations.
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