China is safe for students due to low crime rates, strict laws, stable society, cultural respect for education, comprehensive support systems, and accessible healthcare facilities.
Table of Contents
Low Crime Rates
Considering the above-said, it should be emphasized that China possesses one of the lowest levels of crime globally. In part, it should be noted, violent crimes often covered by the media, are also far fewer compared to the rates one might be familiar with in the largest U.S. or European cities. The direct consequence of the special difference between perceived safety and perceived public danger is the popularity of the guard model among students and parents who believe that China is a good place to study.
Cities like Beijing or Shanghai establish a particular commitment to public safety with crime rates much lower than those of other cities of comparable population. Specifically, the number of incidents of violent crimes is several times lower per 100,000 residents in cities like Shanghai, than in Los Angeles or London. So, why the streets are so clean? First of all, it is the government and their determination to set strict rules in public behavior and oversee public safety. The surveillance mechanisms are precisely this active.
An impressive network of surveillance cameras also known as CCTV is hanging everywhere in the city, extremely increasing law enforcement’s preemptive action and discouraging any potentially suspicious behavior on their side. Students often claim that they feel safe walking home late at night in the China’s big cities, but once again, it is not only due to the heavy security measures but also the method of guarding used. Students in China live in campus dormitories and apartment complexes are guarded by their guards who police the area around. In the evening or even at lunchtime, they often sit at a watchtower or go on patrol.
Finally, let’s not forget about the measures taken by the government to guarantee online safety. The cybersecurity Act is also pretty valid with the explicit objective of protecting residents from online scams and thievery, which is very essential for modern students who are the most dependent on online means when it comes to study or simple moneykeeping. Finally, it is also the governmental educational institutions that offer special training sessions: sort of “how to be one of us” concerning local law and safety.
Stable Society
One of the crucial factors contributing to China’s safety as a country to study in is the strong emphasis on social stability. This aspect is directly related to the government’s policy concerning the coherence and consistency of the state’s governance. Owing to this focus of the local authorities, the public, including international students, feels the sphere being reflected in their daily life. It can be inferred from the focus on safety security shows its low level of civilian unrest and the efficient management of social and public issues.
Nationwide, various cities in the country experience extremely low incidence of public disorder because of protests and public standoff. The prominent example is the coverage of safety crises by the universities that do not close or force international students to leave the area for safety reasons. The social stability in China is also demonstrated culturally, as the social order that values respect to authorities and other people is highlighted in the welcoming and pleasing attitude towards students from other countries.
From the broader perspective, the concept of maintaining stability is promoted owing to the government’s attention to public infrastructure developments. Specifically, the high-speed railways, the construction of which was enormous, results in the world’s largest high-speed railway network, covering over 39,900 km in 2021. Other examples of the social stability’s promotion can be associated with the active approach of the local governments towards state management. For instance, the Chinese government focuses on the preventive management of economy to avoid various inactivity-induced issues. Overall, the safety aspect is enhanced owing to the spheres of the educational institutions and the provision of diverse adaptation and student support programs.
Strict Laws and Regulations
China follows a strict system of laws and regulations that increase the safety and security of international students. This adherence to law is applied to a variety of different types of regulations, including the most dangerous crimes such as drug offenses, theft, and public disorder. The combination of severe penalties and strict enforcement of the law ensure that Chinese university campuses are kept under extremely low crime levels, allowing students to focus on learning. However, there are also other miscarriages of laws that also improve students’ security.
One of them is road safety, which is the result of continued strict enforcement of traffic laws. They include such dangerous practices as driving under the influence of alcohol. This offense is illegal in China with a blood alcohol content of 0.02, a standard drastically lower than most Western countries which typical limit at 0.08. Cyber safety is also a part of relevant regulations, with severe governmental monitoring of cyber security, as well as a variety of laws enacted against different types of cybercrimes, which can often target and danger students. Another, perhaps the most severe part of such a code, is the severe punishment against drug-related offenses.
In many cases, the possession, sale, or usage of a drug can be punished by serving long prison sentences or even capital punishment. It is notable that those severe regulations do, in fact, ensure relatively low levels of drug use on Chinese university campuses. At the same time, in terms of supporting legal national law, individual universities also apply their own codes of conduct, which often include elements such as proscribing curfews on accommodation, restrictions regarding visitation of other students and guests in their accommodation, and similar regulations that apply to all students within a particular campus.
Cultural Emphasis on Education
While every nation appreciates planning qualified people to serve in government, China places a unique emphasis on education in its cultural makeup. The value of education in China’s society reflects the countries ancient history and the culture which incorporates over 5000 years of traditions. The deep elements of respect for learning show in the educational system of the country, and both regional and international students benefit from this cultural characteristic.
China’s powerful and densely packed cultures of educational achievement have been most shaped by its long, distinguished history. Time after time the education of children in China has demonstrated that it is part of an honourable culture that has produced some of the most significant people in history. The system of education in China is founded on a unique history characterised by almost 4000 years since the foundation of the first dynasty. The ancient foundation of the Chinese education system was dominated by Confucianism, with education being more about scholarly knowledge.
The system has been passed from one generation to another and the older generation has established a culture of passing education policies in government respect for education that has evolved into the current educational system. Respect for education in China influences the community’s support for education. The involvement of families and community in schools and universities is among the primary ways that education is supported.
The system is made up of parents, volunteers, educators and the entire community who work together to create a conducive environment. In addition, it is also pride in education that attracts both national and international students to the Chinese educational systems. The institutions are focusing on international students and in place are learning lessons and exchange programs where they learn about the Chinese culture. Schools and universities possess necessary facilities, such as libraries, gymnasiums, and research laboratories.
Comprehensive Support Systems for International Students
China has established a comprehensive support system for international students which greatly contributes to their safety and well-being in general. All universities in China have certain guidelines to cater to the specific needs of students from other countries and help them adjust both culturally and academically. Most of these support systems include an orientation program which aims to familiarize international students with university services, the important matters of local law as well as how to keep safe.
Getting accustomed to a new environment is crucial for international students, thus the orientation is an essential guideline in order to make sure they can integrate well. Moreover, such programs usually include Chinese language classes, which are essential for student’s quality of life, because they can more easily navigate everyday issues which might arise during their study. Additionally, the support system includes an international office at the university, which offers regular aid in obtaining visas and provides overall student guidance, including healthcare, both physical and psychological.
Instructors from the university departments also conduct regular academic counseling for students who might face some challenges in their studies. As part of the health safety support system, they also offer regular check-ups which help to prevent both physical and mental health issues. In order to have an effective cultural integration, universities also offer field trips, cultural festivals, and language exchange partnerships. This is not only to broaden the array of student’s educational experience but to form a bond between international students and local Chinese and put together a safe and inclusive social environment for them.
Last but not least, the support system of University campuses includes accommodation services, as most let international students live in campus dormitories. These provide proper security facilities such as constant monitoring and various housing facilities. Furthermore, for student’s personal safety, university campuses are often equipped with 24-hour security and CCTV, as well as regular security patrols, thus making sure that the students feel safe not only during the day while they study, but during the night as well.
Healthcare Accessibility
China’s healthcare system ensures international students with comprehensive medical services and conditions, ultimately guaranteeing their health and safety while abroad. The country has shown significant advancements and developments in healthcare infrastructure over the years, particularly in its major cities, which host most of the foreign student body. Hospitals and clinics in China’s urban areas, such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, are typically modern and well supplied with the latest technology.
Some of these hospital departments are tailored for foreigners with their English-speaking staff and the majority of international services as well, thus making the foreigners feel welcome and protected. Moreover, on-campus health centers are common in almost all universities in the country or nearby; they are sufficiently supplied to treat all the minor domestic problems and, if necessary, refer the student to a larger health institution. These health centers also run many preventive campaigns and vaccination campaigns to ensure a healthy student population.
Another significant aspect of healthcare in the country is medical insurance. Insurance is mandatory for all international students and features a wide variety of medical treatments that are covered. Through this system, Chinese universities ensure that their students’ lives are free of financial worries, and they can obtain better healthcare. Moreover, China has a large number of pharmacies stocked with various Western and traditional Chinese medicinal products. All these pharmacies together provide a large amount of common disease medications. The vital benefit is that students can manage common diseases through this availability and resume their studies. In the event of a public health crisis, which may affect the students’ population, such as the current pandemic, this availability also ensures the public receives the necessary supplies, and the outbreak is effectively managed.