110 English service available

"China is safe and Chinese policemen are kind," according to George, an Australian touring the country with three fellow travelers. The Australian was speaking to an English-speaking operator with the 110 police emergency call service on the 110-call anniversary day in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province.

The 110 emergency number was first introduced in China in the 1950s by the police to provide the public with emergency help.

January 10 was the 12th anniversary of Nanjing's 110 emergency service.

As China opens-up wider, an increasing number of foreigners are coming to the country on business, and to travel and study. To meet their needs, 110 English service has been available in major cities in the province since June 1st 2000 .

Foreigners provided emergency help

According to a survey in the past 18 months 84 foreigners from 33 countries have called the number for help and service.

More cities intend to provide 110 English services for foreigners, sources say.

In most cases, 110 English service callers are foreign people asking for help with non-emergency problems like asking for directions or for help with acute illnesses, according to Zhang Jinling, a 110 English service operator.

Of the 88 entries of records of 110 English call services, 58 were made by callers who had forgotten keys, or did not know how to use a Chinese bank card, or who were unable to find friends.

Seven were reports of criminal acts, mostly thefts of small sums of money and only one was related to physical injury but for drunken fighting.

( January 14, 2002)