Culture

In general, China is a safe country. However, it is necessary to take into account that in tourist sites or with group, there is always the possibility that there are pickpockets; therefore, it is a good idea not to take:

• Jewelry and precious stones

• Irreplaceable personal objects

• Licenses or ID’s that will not be necessary in China (such as driver’s license, unnecessary credit cards, university ID, etc.)

• Any object that you cannot afford to lose

On the other hand, it is important to take:

• Medication that you take in Mexico or that you might need

• International medical insurance (for major expenses)

• Photocopies of your travel documents (passport, airline tickets, hotel reservations, credit cards, etc.).   It is advisable to leave copies in Mexico and save another copy in a safe place, separate from the originals.

Local legislation

List of illegal acts that could be particularly grave in the country in the event of a foreign visitor committing them.

There are two reasons why you may be detained at the airport:

• Lack of valid visa, that will result in deportation and the payment of a fine of up to one hundred US dollars per day, or

• The smuggling of drugs, weapons or explosives, serious crimes that the Chinese law punishes with methods including the death penalty, which are applied very promptly, without distinction of nationality of the accused.

In case you are stopped at the airport, or outside, ask them immediately to put you in contact with the Mexican Consulate nearest you. Keep in mind that Chinese law is very different from Western law, such as the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, which is not a defendant’s right in China, it must be proven. Do not sign documents that are only presented in the Chinese language if you do not understand its content with the help of an authorized translator.

Avoid entering into verbal or physical conflicts with any person, in particular with Chinese nationals, the sanctions can be very severe and due to the culture, the authority will tend to believe the Chinese citizen’s side of the story.

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. However, its location places it in an area of risk for earthquakes and typhoons. Both are monitored very closely, but are often unpredictable. Buildings are designed to withstand natural disasters. In case of a natural disaster, it is recommended, as a first step, to contact your family members or friends via internet, or through text messages and email from your mobile phone, and let the Mexican Embassy know if you have trouble contacting them.

Inform your relatives in Mexico of your itinerary and the name and phone number of the places where you will be staying. In case of an accident, legal problem or natural disaster, the consular assistance can be more flexible and make it easier for your family to know if you are well.

It is recommended that you do not accept invitations to travel from people you know casually or do not know well.  This recommendation is particularly important if your journey depends on the other person covering your expenses.  You could find yourself in a position of being without money, without a place to stay and alone, in a country where you cannot communicate in order to ask for help.

Do not accept travel deals for work that involve debts for the cost of the trip.

In accordance with the Cannabis Control Law in Japan, the consumption, possession and trafficking of any amount of cannabis is prohibited, and is punishable with several years in prison.

Do not agree to carry packages or drugs to Japan at the request of a friend or acquaintance.  The international transit of drugs has special regulation. You may be committing an offense, which may lead to 5 to 7 years in prison.

Drugs or substances that can be used for the manufacturing of other drugs, the penalty can be imprisonment for several years to life.

If the traveler is less than 20 years old, he or she is not allowed to enter with cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.

Keep valuables out of sight.

Be alert of thieves in crowded places.

No vaccinations are required to enter Korea; however, it is recommended that vaccinations are up-to-date for all members of the family, especially hepatitis A and hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, DTP and typhoid.