Useful China Information
 
Adoption

Under the Adoption Law of the People's Republic of China, an adoptive parent must be 30 years of age or older to be eligible to adopt. The age restriction may be waived if the adopting parent is adopting a step-child. Children must be under the age of 14 when being adopted by a foreigner or by an overseas Chinese unless the child is a blood relative. The China Center of Adoption Affairs handles all matters relating to adoption. It is under the Ministry of Civil Affairs and has a website that contains much relevant information. The center can be reached at:
E-mail: mail@china-ccaa.org
Tel: (010) 63575785
Fax: 63575786
Address: No.7, Baiguang Road, Zhongmin Building, Xuanwu District, Beijing 100053, People's Republic of China
 
Credit Cards

Master Card, Federal Card, Visa, American Express, JCB and Diners Card are accepted in China, but only in major cities. Holders can draw cash from the Bank of China and pay for purchases at exchange centers of the Bank of China, appointed shops, hotels and restaurants. Credit cards are not always accepted for the purchase of rail and air tickets. Most ATMs do not accept foreign cards.
 
Electricity

The electric voltage in China is 220V/50Hz and the standard wall socket has three-connectors.  The best hotels also have 110v, but travelers from the United States and other countries where the voltage is 110v might wish to bring an adaptor to China.
 
Communications

China's Internet country-code top-level domain: cn

China's telephone calling code: 86

Free Emergency Telephone Numbers in Chinese Major Cities:

To report a fire: 119
To report a robbery: 110
To seek first aid: 120
To report a traffic accident: 122
To get the correct time: 117
Weather forecast: 121

Domestic long distance:

For direct long-distance calls (DDD) in China dial the domestic prefix "0," then the area code and phone number.
International calls:
Dial the international prefix "00," then the country code, area code and phone number.  International calls made from China have a three-minute minimum charge and then a minute-by-minute charge.

Collect international calls:
United States - 10810
Japan - 108811, 812, 813
Hong Kong - 108852
Canada - 108186
Australia - 108610, 612, 613
Germany - 1084902
Great Britain - 108440
France - 10833
Denmark - 108450
Spain - 108340
Italy - 108390
    
International Organizations in China

European Union Delegation of the European Commission
Chancery: No. 15, Dong Zhi Men Wai Da Jie, Beijing, China
Telephone: (8610) 6532 4443
Facsimile: (8610) 6532 4342

League of Arab States
Chancery: 1-14-2, Ta Yuan Office Building, Beijing, China
Telephone: (8610) 6532 4083
Facsimile: (8610) 6532 4082

United Nations Development Programme
Chancery: No. 2, Dong Qi Jie, San Li Tun, Beijing, China
Telephone: (8610) 6532 3731 and (8610) 6532 3730

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Chancery: 4-2-151, Jian Guo Men Wai, Beijing, China
Telephone: (8610) 6532 2835 and (8610) 6532 2837

United Nations Fund for Population Activities
Chancery: No. 2, Dong Qi Jie, San Li Tun, Beijing, China
Telephone: (8610) 6532 3732 and (8610) 6532 3733

World Food Program
Chancery: No. 2, Liangmahe Nanlu, Beijing, China
Telephone: (8610) 6532 3734 and (8610) 6532 3735

United Nations Children's Fund
Chancery: No. 12, San Li Tun Lu, Beijing, China
Telephone: (8610) 6532 3131
Facsimile: (8610) 6532 3107

World Health Organization
Chancery: 9-2-151, Ta Yuan Diplomatic Compound
No. 1, Xindonglu, Dong Zhi Men Wai, Beijing, China
Telephone: (8610) 6532 5633
Facsimile: (8610) 6532 2359

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Chancery: 5-153, Jian Guo Men Wai, Beijing, China
Telephone: (8610) 6532 1725 and (8610) 6532 4854

International Labor Organization
Chancery: 1-11-2, Ta Yuan Office Building, Beijing, China
Telephone: (8610) 6532 5091 and (8610) 6532 5093

World Bank Resident Mission in China
Chancery: Building 5, Diaoyutai State Guesthouse,
No. 2, Fu Cheng Lu, Beijing, China
Telephone: (8610) 6851 2227
Facsimile: (8610) 6852 4140

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Chancery: No.2, Liangmahe Nanlu, Beijing, China
Telephone: (8610) 6532 6806
Facsimile: (8610) 6532 1647

UNIDO Investment Promotion Service, Beijing
Chancery: 5-1-41, Ta Yuan Diplomatic Compound
No. 1, Xin Dong Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
Telephone: (8610) 6532 6140
Facsimile: (8610) 6532 6145

International Monetary Fund
Chancery: 11/F Hong Kong-Macao Center
Dong Si Shi Tiao Li Jiao Qiao, Beijing, China
Telephone: (8610) 6501 2551
Facsimile: (8610) 6501 1565

International Finance Corporation
Chancery: Unit 3711, 37/F, Jing Guang Center,
Hu Jia Lou, Beijing, China
Telephone: (8610) 6501 5171
Facsimile: (8610) 6532 5176

International Maritime Satellite Organization
Chancery: Suite 2404, Block E, Huiyuan International
Apartment, Beijing, China
Telephone: (8610) 6499 1639
Facsimile: (8610) 6493 1067