health issues or safety issues for children in China?

I am teaching for 5 weeks in Zhenzhou just outside of Beijing summer 08 and then backpacking across China for a couple of weeks after that. I am also taking my 7 yr old daughter with me.

I got extra shots so we are both current. I am aware of water concerns in some areas as well as avian, SARS or other types of respiratory issues in the news.

However, my main concern, which I can%26#39;t find ANY info on anywhere online is on the safety of my daughter. Things like kidnapping and such.

I have checked out the Department of State and Chinese Embassy here in Texas but nothing.

Anybody know anything about the dangers associated with traveling with my daughter? Or any other concerns I might have not thought about?

I will definitely be going to Xi%26#39;an, Shanghai and hopefully down to Hong Kong. I will probably be using the trains to go long distances. And using the bus passes provided to me by the company I am going to teach for in the town I will be staying in.

Also, do you think there will be any issues with tourist visas like there have been in the news lately for other kinds of visas?? Thanks sooo much!

health issues or safety issues for children in China?

China is safer in terms of crime than most countries. My biggest concern would be traffic accidents. Pickpocketing and purse snatching are fairly common in some areas.

The reason the State Department doesn%26#39;t list these risks is because they haven%26#39;t had reports of problems involving U.S. citizens.

I can%26#39;t imagine that kidnapping would be a risk unless your daughter looks Chinese and you travel to some more remote areas where some kidnapping occurs. Foreigners are not attractive targets.

health issues or safety issues for children in China?

I would think, as a responsible parent, you would not have any problems with your daughter - treat her the same as you would if you were in LA, NYC, or any other city. Don%26#39;t let her wander away and make sure she is aware of her surroundings.

If your daughter is white-skinned and blonde-haired, she may attract a little curious (and well-meaning) attention from other kids and even adults in remoter areas you are backpacking around, or even more ';local'; areas of the bigger cities.

Enjoy.

Thanks so much for your responses. I wouldn%26#39;t think it would be a problem but I just wanted to cover all bases, ya know?

She is very light skinned (white) and has light hair with natural highlights. so, that makes me curious to see how some will react. I had heard that before. :)

I am a pretty aware and responsible because I keep her with me right next to me here even in Dallas as a big city. I just didn%26#39;t know if there were any other precautions to take.

I have done a bit of studying on China%26#39;s crime stats and I am impressed. It is pretty safe for most intents and purposes.

Thanks again!