Vulnerable Chinese Tourists

[Ian_Lee]

Just like US State Department that regularly issues travel warnings, now PRC Foreign Ministry also issues travel warnings to the Chinese tourists in foreign countries:

http://news.chinatimes.com/Chinatimes/newslist/newslist-content/0,3546,110505+112006021000066,00.html

According to PRC Foreign Ministry, the most dangerous places to travel is South Africa owing to its crime rate and Chinese tourists being frequently targeted.

And according to PRC, there are lots of pickpockets in European Countries. So even in low crime countries like Switzerland, Germany and Belgium, Chinese tourists still fell prey.

For Chiness students who study overseas, they have to be cautious in Russia and Australia. In Russia, many skinhead gangs target at Chinese students.

For contracted labor, Israel, Jordon, Mauritus, Madgascar, Algeria,,,etc are all high risk countries.

And Chinese citizens should never set foot on Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan due to the ongoing wars.

The countries mentioned are more or less the same as those mentioned by US State Dept.

IMO Mainland tourists are more or less like Japanese tourists 30 years ago:

(1) Carry plenty of cash, no plastic;

(2) Dress in suit even in tropical country in hot summer time -- locals (as well as thieves) know that they are tourists from the first glimpse;

(3) Too carefree and unaware of potential danger in a strange environment.

[Ferno]

its funny when China pretends it cares about its people

[skylee]

its funny when China pretends it cares about its people

I find this remark irritating.

[Ferno]

i wasn't trying to be irritating, i hope i didnt offend you if you're from the mainland

i'm sure you know what i meant - compare this to other actions routinely taken by the government (without getting into specifics)

[wushijiao]

Although no one has ever elected anyone in the PRC government, I think the PRC officials have generally done a good job at protecting and promoting China’s national interests internationally, even though they are fairly repressive domestically. So, as a foreigner, I suppose one has to use cautious language when criticizing certain nasty aspects of the regime, because even many Chinese people who loathe the government still feel patriotically attached to other aspects of it.

In any case, while traveling abroad, it’s generally a good idea to do things that don’t draw attention to yourself, such as speaking in a low voice when talking in a non-native language. Unfortunately, some Chinese tourists engage in behaviors that immediately mark them as easy targets: wearing matching hats, taking indiscrete pictures, trying to create a fairly 热闹 atmosphere using Putonghua..etc. To some degree, Chinese abroad often remind me of how some stereotypical Americans (我国人) embarrassingly act in relation to the local culture. Although, I guess no one ever remembers the Chinese or Americans who discretely and quietly travel and try to fit in, but people always remember the rude, loud jackasses.

[Lugubert]

Disclaimer: I'm not in any way connected to tourism or other similar financal interests.

Especially in Western Sweden, Chinese tourists are welcome, like anywhere hereabouts, and not in any way subject to harassment or even to too many curious glances. No problems anywhere, I think. The city of Gothenburgh (Göteborg) has a not too short history of being a partner city to Shanghai. Recently, a copy of an 18 C sailing ship was launched here to commemorate the trade between our countries. The 2nd leading morning paper of our country runs every day an extensive blog from the voyage of this ship, from Gothenburgh, now leaving Brazil, to Shanghai, ETA 29 August 2006.

Chinese tourists are, however, still rather rare around here, and might encounter the odd curious glance. OTOH, my current love (born in Hangzhou) has never voiced any problems because of her heritage, and the GF of a nephew of mine, of Hongkong ancestry, seems to have had no problems etc. etc. And there are several students of for example advanced mathematics at our university of technology who contribute to a positive Chinese image.

[geraldc]

They govt should issue a warning to the people about Disneyland HK.

Mainland tourists do have a fairly poor reputation in HK, so I wonder how the rest of the world sees them. With the high littering and spitting fines in HK, if you see anyone still spitting or littering on the street, they'll generally be a mainlander etc. I know they're probably not aware of the laws etc, but it does make them standout.

[skylee]

They govt should issue a warning to the people about Disneyland HK.

This is quite true. haha.

[Quest]

its funny when China pretends it cares about its people

Probably not as sincerely as Rumsfeld and Bush care about their troops...

[bhchao]

if you see anyone still spitting or littering on the street

what about squatting?

[geraldc]

Most mainland Chinese go overseas on organised tours, so they're generally pretty entertained and in most locations where they're required to wait, chairs are provided so they don't need to squat anymore.

In many cases, I think it's up to the tour guide to tell the people what is and isn't acceptable behaviour in foreign regions, but old habits die hard.

Chinese Embassies also look after the needs of the people of HK and Macau when they're on holiday too.

[Ian_Lee]

You guys are really too mean on the behaviors of spitting, squatting and littering.

In the '70s, Japanese male tourists were notorious in queuing up to enter the brothels when they toured in the SE Asian countries. (Frankly speaking I don't understand the group sex mentality of some Japanese guys.)

Traveling in foreign land is a learning process. It takes time to refine the behavior.

No matter how PRC treats its people domestically, it has so far tried its best effort to protect its nationals outside. Probably you guys never heard about the story that tens of thousands of overseas Chinese in Vietnam who held ROC passports were all left behind when South Vietnam fell in 1975.

[pookie]

To the Swedish chap - my Chinese friend was raped while studying there. I guess nowhere is 100% safe

[Ian_Lee]

Chinese Embassies also look after the needs of the people of HK and Macau when they're on holiday too.

Actually the Chinese Embassies are most eager to help businessmen and tourists from Taiwan if they seek assstance.

[Quest]

I walked past 3 spanish girls today in a hispanic neighborhood in Boston, and for no apparent reason, one of them, an otherwise fine looking young lady, started talking behind me "fucking chino, @*^!@$!*$!*&.(Chinese mock accent)." I guess idiots are everywhere, and sometimes you do need to pull out a gun to shut em up, almost did that but no they survived.

[adrianlondon]

Minorities do tend to pick on other minorities (not just race). This is probably a heavy subject, but I think it's to do with attempting to feel part of the bigger crowd by finding your own minority to pick on.