China is a fairly safe destination with all its police operations maximizing the use of technology. Its crime rates have been continuously declining and one can say that the country is a safe place for an expat to settle in. However, one should still be vigilant when staying in a foreign country. Check out the tips below on how you can stay safe in China:

• Be careful with what you eat in China. Most travelers who get sick from traveling from China reported that it may come from an unfamiliar food they eat. China has an amazing cuisine and cannot be contested in their skill in cooking. However, you should be aware of the sources of the food you take most especially if it is being sold alongside streets and the place surrounding the food house appears to lack sanitation.
• China has a “car first” culture along the roads. Unlike other countries who would prioritize pedestrians crossing, you should expect the opposite in this country. Always cross with a crowd, follow traffic signals, and be vigilant with vehicles that are at an unusual speed.
• Theft is a common incident in locations where a crowd would huddle. It is advised that you do not display your valuables in tourist spots or expose big amounts of cash coming from your pockets or bags. Always be attentive to your belongings and be aware of your surroundings.
• When taking a cab, be aware of the right starting rate as some cab drivers might take advantage that you do not know the right fare. Always ride on taxis that are officially marked as a cab and do not accept invitations of cabs if they suddenly approach you for a ride in tourist areas.
• Be careful with the topics you bring up to strangers. It is better not to openly talk about sensitive topics like the Tiananmen Massacre, Taiwan political status, or Tibet or you might be at risk of conversing with those who are violent in giving out  their opinions.
• Be vigilant when paying in taxis or sketchy establishments. A common scam in China is where locals would replace your 100 Yuan notes into fake notes when you hand it over to them. They would often take your cash, manage to replace it in a hidden corner and inform you that what you gave them is a fake one. Watch out for your money when you are paying and focus your attention on the payment transaction at hand.
• Be aware of schemes where strangers pretend to be hospitable enough to invite you over to a dinner or a tea testing ceremony. Scammers will lure you to bond with them with their reason being ‘for practice conversational English.’ Apparently, most victims are left calculating the bills the scammers left them with after running off. These strangers will pretend to be kind to you only to let you pay for a restaurant bill.