BEIJING: Social media reels showing Chinese police officers patiently explaining how firearms work to curious children; kids sitting atop police cars to watch a folk performance and expatriates revelling in wonder while taking a late night walk alone on the streets are grabbing attention from netizens overseas, fuelling much online discussion about the “sense of safety” in China.
These are not isolated reels. More and more foreign residents and travelers to the country are coming forward to share their daily experiences in China.
A British vlogger who goes by the name “Jason in China”, previously filmed himself walking at night in Kunming, Yunnan province, pointing out the busy streets and the absolute absence of any sense of unease. In many Western countries, he said, going out late would mean looking over one’s shoulder and worrying about danger. In China, such thoughts never crossed his mind.
Spanish vlogger “Zhuli from Spain” offered a similar account in a video recorded in a park in Guangdong province. “It’s 11 pm… For me, this is real freedom — a woman on the street after 11 pm, walking alone without any fear. This is how it should be.”
These accounts, widely shared and discussed, focus on everyday experiences — walking alone, interacting with police, being in public spaces after dark, or finding left-behind packages and personal items untouched. A recent survey echoes these impressions. According to the Global Safety Report 2025 released in January 2026 by Gallup, a United States-based analytics and advisory company, China ranked the third-safest among more than 140 countries and territories surveyed.
The report also noted strong public confidence in local law enforcement in the country and low levels of personal experience with crime.
Official figures show a similar pattern. According to the Ministry of Public Security, in 2025, criminal cases in China dropped 12.8 percent year-on-year, the lowest level in decades, while public order cases also declined. Public perception of safety remained above 98 percent for the sixth consecutive year. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
