You’re in Trouble and Don’t Speak Mandarin: What Now?

Hannah Feldshuh | May 17, 2021 11:15 am | 2 comments | 1481 reads

Responding effectively to crises is an intimidating process in any country, let alone for a Beijing newcomer who doesn’t speak Mandarin. Recent reports from the Beijing Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning indicated that all emergency services in Beijing would become English-language compliant. However, despite these announcements, users have found this service inconsistent. If your Chinese is still a work in progress, these English language services are useful to save for reference in case of an emergency.

In the event of a medical emergency, these options offer English language services:

  • The Beijing Red Cross: 999. The Beijing Red Cross has an English language service, a useful option if you need to call an ambulance and don’t speak Mandarin.
  • Beijing United Family Hospital: 5927 7120. This 24-hour emergency hotline will provide you the option to speak with English-speaking staff and request ambulance or emergency services.

Should you need help reporting a crime, have been arrested or someone has died, your embassy could be a good resource. Most embassies offer urgent assistance to citizens.

  • For British citizens: 8529 6600. Friends or family members can call 020 7008 1500 if they are concerned about your safety.
  • For American citizens: 8531 4000. Furthermore, enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) provides an option to keep your passport and visa on file and sign up for emergency alerts.

In addition to these resources, the following numbers are good to keep in mind, although English language services are not guaranteed:

  • Police (call): 110
  • Police (text): 12110
  • Ambulance (national hotline; includes Beijing municipality): 120
  • Fire: 119
  • Beijing Health Hotline: 12320 (website)
  • Traffic Accidents: 122

In addition to the resources listed above, it’s advisable to work out an emergency plan with friends and family. Take these simple steps to prepare in advance:

  • Prepare and keep all relevant documents: you should keep your insurance information, registration information, and passport in one place for easy access.
  • Have an emergency contact: Give contact information of a close friend or colleague to your community to somebody you trust back home. In the event of an emergency, you don’t want your parents or friends to struggle to find your whereabouts.
  • Know and understand your rights and understand risks: Familiarize yourself with common risks that you face while living in China, while also understanding the rights and protections to which you’re entitled.

READ: Common Scams and Tips on What to Do When Life in China Goes Wrong

Photo: Unsplash

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Sikaote's picture Sikaote Submitted by Guest on Tue, 05/12/2020 - 04:36

Would not a sagacious individual use this as a spur to buckle down and learn the fekking local lingo?

So you're saying that being a foreign devil who can speak Mandarin would have helped prevent me not being admitted to the PLA hospital after I was hit by a car???

Yeah, no.

Even if I had plastic surgery on my eyes, there's nothing I can do about the color of my skin.

I left my previous message as a warning to other foreign devils here. I guess I didn't make myself clear. So I'll try again:

IF ANY FOREIGNERS IN CHINA GET INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT YOU ARE IN DEEP DOG DOO.

Giovanni Martini wrote:

Would not a sagacious individual use this as a spur to buckle down and learn the fekking local lingo? The real epidemic in the world is the plethora of Joe Wankers who expect everyone around them to show greater solicitude for ol' Joe than he does his own scurvy self.

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