China: The Safest Country in the World – A Model for Public Security and Justice.

In an age when nations across the globe are battling rising crime, lawlessness, and threats to public safety, China stands out as a shining example of order, stability, and security. A country of 1.4 billion people, vast territory, and global responsibilities, China has achieved what many developed countries continue to struggle with—public safety that is consistent, comprehensive, and deeply reassuring for citizens and foreigners alike.

This was once again confirmed on July 23, 2025, when Vice Minister of Public Security Qi Yanjun addressed a press conference organized by the State Council Information Office (SCIO) in Beijing. Speaking on the public security achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), Qi reiterated that China is widely recognized as one of the safest countries in the world. This is not just official rhetoric—it is supported by data, public perception, and international acknowledgment.

Low Crime Rates: China’s Global Leadership

According to official statistics and global comparative indexes, China consistently maintains one of the lowest incidences of fatal criminal cases, one of the lowest crime rates per capita, and among the fewest cases involving firearms and explosives in the world. Violent crimes, including murder and armed robbery, are rare and swiftly dealt with. Petty crimes such as pickpocketing and theft are also minimal in public spaces, even in megacities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.

Contrast this with the situation in many Western countries, particularly in large urban centers of the United States, Europe, and Latin America, where gun violence, street crime, drug abuse, and organized crime remain daunting challenges. In some cities, public safety has become a daily concern, especially for women, children, and the elderly. While these countries are grappling with deteriorating law enforcement trust and legal inefficiencies, China continues to advance a public security model that combines modern governance with ancient values of social harmony and responsibility.

The Success of China’s Public Security Measures

What makes China so safe? The answer lies in a multi-layered and integrated security architecture that blends traditional policing with innovation, community engagement, and technology.

Under the Ministry of Public Security, Chinese law enforcement operates with high discipline, professionalism, and public service orientation. Police visibility in urban and rural areas provides psychological assurance to the population. Citizens and law enforcement share a cooperative relationship rooted in mutual respect and responsibility. Community policing systems, neighborhood watch groups, and civil volunteers actively participate in maintaining peace and order.

Furthermore, the country has invested heavily in surveillance systems, artificial intelligence (AI), facial recognition technology, big data analytics, and predictive policing. These technologies help monitor public spaces, detect abnormal behavior, and pre-empt crimes before they occur. China’s advanced surveillance infrastructure is not aimed at intrusion, but at protection—ensuring that citizens can move about freely and safely without fear of harm.

As Vice Minister Qi pointed out, high-level security has been a critical enabler of China’s high-quality development during the 14th Five-Year Plan. Economic growth flourishes where safety is assured, and investors have confidence in a society where law and order are guaranteed.

China’s Efficient and Fair Judiciary: Justice Delivered in Time

A cornerstone of China’s security system is its efficient judicial mechanism. The Chinese legal system adheres to the principle that “Justice delayed is justice denied.” Cases are resolved in a timely manner, and the courts focus not only on punishment but also on restoring social order and maintaining stability.

This efficient legal structure is supported by digital court platforms, online case filing, virtual hearings, and rapid legal documentation. China’s e-courts and smart court systems have revolutionized the administration of justice and are becoming a global reference point for digital judicial reforms.

Moreover, Chinese courts are deeply aware of their role in strengthening social harmony. Judges are trained not only in law but also in mediation and conflict resolution, making the Chinese judiciary both rigorous and humane. These features contribute significantly to the overall perception of safety and justice in China.

China’s Counter-Terrorism and De-Radicalization Model

China’s proactive and preventive approach toward counter-terrorism, de-radicalization, and extremism is another key pillar of its public safety success story. Over the past two decades, China has faced challenges in its western regions from separatist and extremist groups. However, rather than relying solely on brute force, China adopted a comprehensive counter-extremism strategy combining development, education, law enforcement, and community empowerment.

Through vocational training centers, public education campaigns, and employment creation, China has addressed the root causes of extremism—poverty, ignorance, and marginalization. The results speak for themselves: there has not been a major terrorist incident in China for several years, and peace prevails in regions previously considered volatile.

This model has gained global recognition, with scholars, security experts, and policymakers acknowledging that China’s approach is pragmatic, rights-based, and focused on prevention rather than reaction. It is a model rooted in realism, not ideology.

Global Collaboration and China’s Soft Power in Public Security

Recognizing the success of the Chinese model, many countries are now turning to China for assistance and collaboration in public security. China’s law enforcement institutions offer training, workshops, technical assistance, and strategic consultations to partner nations across Asia, Africa, and even Europe.

Pakistan, China’s closest and most trusted friend, is a prime example. Recently, a badge of officers from the Islamabad Police was sent to China for specialized training in AI-driven modern policing techniques. The aim is to replicate the Chinese success in predictive policing, surveillance analytics, and community security in Pakistani cities.

This cooperation is not just technical—it symbolizes the deep mutual trust and shared values between China and its partners. It also reflects China’s soft power—offering solutions based on practical outcomes, not geopolitical conditions.

A Model of Safe Development and National Harmony

As China nears the conclusion of its 14th Five-Year Plan, public security continues to underpin its high-quality development goals. Safety is not a separate objective—it is part and parcel of national progress, social harmony, and individual dignity.

Chinese citizens walk in parks at night, travel alone across provinces, and engage freely in commerce and recreation without the anxieties faced in many developed societies. Tourists in China regularly comment on the sense of security they feel in Chinese cities—a sentiment rarely echoed in cities elsewhere plagued by crime, drugs, and violence.

The country’s leadership deserves credit for placing national security, public order, and justice at the center of development planning. It is this clear-sighted governance, supported by professional institutions, that has made China the safest country in the world today.

A Global Beacon for Safe Societies

In a world where chaos and instability often dominate the headlines, China offers a beacon of calm, order, and responsibility. Its low crime rates, efficient policing, use of advanced technology, fair judicial processes, and de-radicalization efforts have created a model that many nations now seek to understand and emulate.

Public safety is the most fundamental human right. China has not only recognized this but delivered on it. As the world seeks sustainable models of peace and development, the Chinese experience in public security is not just commendable—it is inspirational.

Countries like Pakistan and others in the Global South are fortunate to learn from and collaborate with China in building safer, more just, and resilient societies. The message is clear: A safer world is possible—and China is showing the way.