Discovering Safety in China: A Personal Travel Experience
As I mentioned in my previous blog article, many Western governments issue an "orange" travel advisory for China, urging caution. However, based on my firsthand experiences while vacationing in China, I can confidently say that China is far safer than most Western countries. In this article, I will share some vivid examples from my travels that highlight just how secure and peaceful life feels in China.
Leaving Belongings Unattended in Public Spaces
During my trip to Chengdu, I spent a delightful afternoon at People’s Park, sipping tea in an open-roof tea garden. The setting was serene, surrounded by lush greenery and bustling with locals enjoying their day. At one point, I noticed two young girls sitting at the table next to mine. They suddenly got up and walked away, leaving their smartphones and bags unattended on the table. Initially, I assumed they had simply forgotten them—but 20 minutes later, they returned nonchalantly and continued drinking tea as if nothing unusual had happened.
What struck me was that during those 20 minutes, not a single person touched their belongings. This scenario seemed almost unthinkable back home in Sydney. When I recounted this experience to my neighbor upon returning, we both agreed that in Sydney—or indeed in many other cities around the world—their phones and bags would have disappeared within minutes. Yet here in China, such trust and security were the norm.
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Walking Alone Late at Night
Another memorable incident occurred late one night when I was heading back to my hotel after dinner. My AI navigation app directed me through a quiet back alley, which turned out to be a shortcut. It was past midnight, and aside from myself, there was only one other person—a teenage girl dressed in anime-style cosplay. She stood engrossed in her phone, completely carefree despite being alone in a dimly lit alley.
Her ease surprised me, and the next day, I asked local residents whether this behavior was typical. To my astonishment, everyone confirmed it was entirely normal and expected in China for young women to walk home safely by themselves late at night. This stands in stark contrast to Australia, where a 2019 survey revealed that nearly 47% of young Australian women do not feel safe walking alone at night.
The tragic case of Eurydice Dixon comes to mind—a young woman who was assaulted and killed in Melbourne in 2019. That tragedy ignited heated debates about personal safety and responsibility in Australia. While the Victorian Police Commissioner’s comments sparked controversy over victim-blaming, even male friends admitted they wouldn’t dare walk alone in parks late at night due to safety concerns. But in China, I witnessed a society where people of all ages and genders could move freely without fear—something truly remarkable.
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The Success of Public Bike Rental Systems
China’s public bike rental system further exemplifies its societal orderliness. For just 2 Chinese yuan (approximately $0.40 AUD), you can rent a bike using WeChat or Alipay by scanning a barcode. During my stay, I observed countless bikes parked neatly throughout the city, untouched by vandalism.
This contrasts sharply with what I’ve seen elsewhere. A few years ago, a friend posted a Facebook photo showing rental bikes in Sydney that had been defaced and destroyed, expressing skepticism about the viability of public bike systems. Yet in China, these systems thrive because the culture of respect and accountability ensures their success.
Safety on Public Transport
One aspect of daily life in China that left a deep impression on me was the level of safety on public transport. Before boarding trains or metros, passengers must pass through security checks similar to those at airports. Bags are scanned, and individuals may be subject to random screenings.
At first, as a Western traveler, I found these measures unusual and somewhat intrusive. I questioned whether such procedures were necessary for everyday commuting. However, as I continued using public transport in China, I quickly realized how these security checks contributed to an overwhelming sense of safety and freedom. Knowing that everyone on the train had undergone a screening gave me confidence to travel freely, regardless of the time of day or destination. In fact, this newfound assurance enhanced my freedom of movement—I felt empowered to explore new places whenever I wanted without worrying about my personal safety.
In stark contrast, news reports about violence on Australian trains paint a very different picture. A quick Google search for “train stabbing Australia” returns dozens of articles detailing incidents of stabbings and assaults aboard Sydney and Melbourne trains. These occurrences are alarmingly frequent and create a climate of fear among commuters. While Australians might prioritize individual privacy over stringent security measures, the trade-off becomes evident when considering the impact on public safety.
This experience made me reflect on the balance between different types of freedoms. There seems to be a trade-off between the freedom of individual privacy and the freedom to move about safely without fear. It also prompted me to rethink the broader concept of freedom, which I will discuss later in the article.
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How Does China Achieve Such Safety?
Curious about how China maintains such high levels of safety, I spoke with several locals. They explained that 30 to 40 years ago, crime rates in China were much higher, prompting widespread complaints from citizens. In response, the government implemented a sophisticated surveillance system known as the “Heavenly Net.” Today, cameras are omnipresent on Chinese streets, acting as a powerful deterrent against criminal activity.
When I asked locals if they felt surveilled, they unanimously replied no. Instead, they viewed the camera system as liberating rather than restrictive. As one local put it, “We’re not the ones planning to commit crimes, so why should we worry? These cameras only limit the freedom of would-be criminals, making our lives safer and freer.” Every Chinese person I spoke to expressed full support for the system, crediting it with creating a secure environment.
While Western audiences might instinctively equate China’s camera system with surveillance, police states, and a lack of freedom, the perspective of Chinese locals paints a very different picture. They argue that the camera system actually makes them more free—not less. This raises an important question: What kind of freedom do we prioritize?
In the West, freedom is often associated with privacy and individual rights, even if it sometimes comes at the expense of collective security. In China, however, the emphasis seems to be on ensuring public safety and societal harmony, which allows individuals to live without constant fear of crime. If you want more of one type of freedom, you may need to sacrifice another. Ultimately, it depends on what kind of freedom you value most.
The key takeaway is that no system is inherently superior to another. Just because Westerners may dislike China’s approach doesn’t mean the West is “more free.” From the Chinese perspective, the absence of pervasive crime and the ability to move freely in public spaces make their society freer in ways that matter deeply to them. Conversely, Western societies may prioritize privacy and individual autonomy but face challenges in maintaining public safety.
At the end of the day, it’s better to leave each society to govern itself according to its own values and priorities. Imposing external judgments or trying to force one set of values onto another culture rarely leads to positive outcomes, especially when those values don’t align with what the people in that society genuinely want. Freedom means different things to different people, and what works for one nation may not work for another.
Safety Enables Technological Innovation
One fascinating consequence of China’s safety is its ability to experiment with and apply cutting-edge technologies that might face challenges elsewhere. For instance, China is already uses robots and self-driving vans delivering online shopping orders directly to customers’ doors. These autonomous delivery vehicles navigated busy streets and residential neighborhoods with ease, carrying packages securely inside.
What amazed me most was the lack of interference. No one vandalized these self-driving vans or attempted to steal their contents. Such trust and respect for property allow China to push the boundaries of innovation without worrying about theft or damage. In many Western countries, similar experiments might struggle due to concerns about tampering or misuse. But in China, the combination of advanced technology and a low-crime environment creates a fertile ground for testing futuristic solutions like autonomous delivery systems.
This example underscores how safety isn’t just about personal well-being—it also fosters societal progress. By ensuring a secure environment, China empowers itself to lead in technological advancements that improve everyday life.
Rethinking Freedom
My time in China made me reconsider the concept of freedom. In the West, we often equate freedom with specific political processes, such as electing leaders. However, true freedom encompasses more than that—it means having the ability to live your life without constant fear. Whether it’s walking home alone at night or leaving your belongings unattended in a park, the sense of personal security I experienced in China felt profoundly freeing.
In many ways, the people, especially young women, of China enjoy greater freedom than their counterparts in Australia. While this idea may sound strange to those whose impressions of China are informed by the western media, yet the facts speak for themselves: crime rates are lower, public spaces are safer, and daily life unfolds with minimal anxiety about personal safety.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, China is exceptionally safe for tourists and residents alike. Of course, no country is entirely crime-free, and common sense should always prevail. However, the likelihood of encountering crime in China is significantly lower than in many Western nations. From unattended belongings in crowded parks to carefree teenagers navigating dark alleys, my experiences underscored a level of safety that left a lasting impression.
Moreover, China’s commitment to safety has paved the way for bold technological innovations, such as autonomous delivery systems, which enhance convenience and efficiency. If you’re considering traveling to China, rest assured—you’ll likely find it safer than your home country. And perhaps, like me, you’ll come away with a renewed understanding of what it truly means to live freely.
Ultimately, every society must define its own path to achieving the balance of freedoms it desires. Rather than imposing our values on others, we should strive to understand and respect the choices that different cultures make in pursuit of their vision of freedom.
