Beijingkids has been an essential family resource for Beijing international families since 2006. And just as kids grow up in the blink of an eye, Beijing has grown and changed almost beyond recognition in that time. In Throwback Thursday we jump in the time machine, traveling through our 15 year-strong blog archives to dig out the most entertaining, fascinating, and thought-provoking stories for your reading pleasure. Ready? Let’s go…
A few months ago my husband needed me to call an ambulance to rush him to the hospital. It was at that moment that I realized that I had no idea who to call… In the US it’s straightforward, you call 911 and a dispatcher will send either the police, fire department, or ambulance to your location based on your needs.
Here, it’s not just one emergency number to remember, you need to know them all.
- Police: 110
- Fire: 119
- Traffic accidents: 122
- Ambulance (English hotline): 999
- Ambulance (Chinese hotline): 120
- Foreign Emergency Services: 6525 5486
As the Beijinger‘s writer Annie Wang recently wrote in an article, there are different policies pertaining to common emergencies.
Theft
Thefts can be more common than one would like in Beijing. Below are some of the commonly seized items and what to do post-theft:
– If you lose your passport, report the theft at both the police station and the division of Exit/Entry Administration at the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau or at the exit-entry department of the public security bureau branch nearest to where the passport was lost. A new passport can be acquired at your embassy or consulate using the Confirmation of Passport Loss document. Don’t forget to apply for a new visa!
– In the event that your property is stolen, call the police at 110 and report the theft immediately. Then wait for the police to arrive and cooperate with them, which may include going to the station.
Missing Persons
A missing persons’ report can be filed 48 hours after that persons’ disappearance. The report can be filed both at your country’s embassy location in Beijing or at the local police department.
Embassies
You should locate the embassy nearest to your residence before arriving, and keep their contact information with you. Embassies often send out alerts or other important information that their citizens should know about while in Beijing. At the embassy, you can file a missing person’s report and vote in your home country’s elections.
KEEP READING: Throwback Thursday: No More DIY Bowlcuts!
