- Home
- About us
- Visas and migration
- Travelling to Australia
- Services for Australians
- Doing business with Australia
- Study in Australia
- Events
- Development cooperation
- Media
- About Australia
- Australia- China relationship
- Police Liaison
- 中文
Consular Bulletin for Australians in Southern China
The Consular Travel Advice for China contains frequently requested information which may be of use to the Australian community in southern China. It contains sections on safety and security, local laws, entry and exit requirements, health issues and where to get help in an emergency. It is updated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade frequently and, even though it is lengthy, I encourage all to read it in its entirety from time to time at http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/China . You can also register to be notified of updates electronically.
For the last few months particular issues have arisen such as a more rigorous checking of residential registration and so on. For some time the travel advice has included: "All foreigners are required to register their place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. Chinese authorities have recently become more rigorous in enforcing the registration requirement. Foreigners with residence permits are now required to register after each re-entry. Foreigners staying with family or friends in a private home must comply with this requirement. Failure to do so could result in fines and detention. If you are staying at a hotel, this is done as part of the normal check-in process. You should carry evidence of your identity at all times and present it upon demand of police authorities. Your passport or a Chinese residence card is an acceptable form of identity. The Chinese authorities are conducting more frequent spot checks of foreigners' identification documents in areas popular with expatriates. Failure to carry ID or comply with the registration requirement could result in fines and detention."
Even though it is included in the Travel Advice it is important that all Australians know to contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade should they be in need of emergency consular assistance by telephoning 020 38140111 during business hours or the same number after business hours and following the prompts to be connected to the Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra, noting that the staff in Canberra do not speak Chinese. Alternatively Australians may call 0061 2 62613305.