Save 12308 and the consular protection number of the local embassy or consulate in your phone, and copy them onto paper in your wallet; don't wait until something happens to look for them

High value
Evidence A
Keeps you free
Free
Takes minutes
No willpower

In plain words

For help in an emergency there is just one number. From inside China call 12308, and from abroad call +86-10-12308 (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' consular protection and services hotline). Since it opened, this hotline has taken more than 3,000,000 (300多万) calls. Over the same period, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its missions abroad handled more than 500,000 (50多万) consular protection cases.

Mentioned in

Photograph your passport, visa and ID and keep a copy in the cloud; if you lose them, call the police first and then apply for a replacement travel document

Translated from the Chinese original. Original book, section 21, tip 2. Content may be out of date and rules differ by place. When you actually deal with an agency, a doctor or a court, follow what local officials, doctors and lawyers tell you. Disclaimer