21 Laws That Only Exist In China

No Stopping At Crosswalks

Image Source: The Beijinger

This seems really stupid, but over in China it's actually illegal for a car to stop at a crosswalk. I know what you're thinking, isn't that what a crosswalk is for? To protect the civilians from being ran over? But alas, the Beijing Traffic Laws state that any vehicle moved via engine are forbidden from stopping.

Purposeful Adultery?

Image Source: Reddit

Now, adultery has long been something that's illegal around the world, particularly in nations that have strong religious views. But the weird thing about this Chinese law is that it's only illegal if you have sex with another man's wife ON PURPOSE. If it's accidental (how does that work??) then you'd be fine.

Work Relationships

Image Source: Insider

This isn't a nationwide law, but one of a company within Guangzhou province. You wouldn't see anything like this in the western world, surely? They have strict policies banning male employees from dating other employees (but only if they've not worked there a year) and any female employee who's worked at the company for 3 months has to have any boyfriend vetted!

Announcing A Russian

Image Source: Reddit

It seems a crazy rule but back in 1907 a law was passed suggesting that all Chinese nationals had to announce that a Russian was approaching them. This was relevant due to the tensions between the two countries at the time, but if a citizen failed to do this then it was technically punishable by death!

Banned Architecture

Image Source: British Council

During 2016, the officials in China's government decided that constructing buildings made to be oversized and weird should be banned; instead they decided that buildings should be focused on being economical and eye pleasing. Weird for such an advanced technological country.

Silk Secrets

Image Source: Designboom

Silk making has long been associated with the country of China, and back in the day an ancient rule was put in place to stop citizens from sharing the secrets of making silk. Technically, the law still states that anyone that does so will be tortured to death! It's unlikely this would happen anymore, but technically it could.

Banned Baby Names

Image Source: Reddit

There are names that people have learned to avoid naming their child; Adolf for example is a name that's banned in most places around the world. In China, the government has to deem a name 'not weird' in order for it to pass and it also must be translatable to Mandarin or it won't be accepted.

Saluting Cars

Image Source: The New York Times

This law is only in place in Guizhou Province and despite it being a weird one, it is actually quite a wholesome and protective law. Children in the area are taught and required to salute cars on the side of the street as they pass, but it's been great in helping avoid unnecessary car accidents.

Lowered Amount Of Fireworks

Image Source: Reddit

The eastern world, grouped together, have been known for developing crazy fireworks, and so, crazy firework displays. But there is actually a law wherefore residents of China are banned from keeping more than a tonne of fireworks within their home. There must of been a reason for this to be passed?

Adult Content Is Banned

Image Source: People

Now, I believe people should have the right to watch adult content if they believe doing so is what they need; I also understand those that think it can be a harmful and disgusting thing to do. Over in China, it's illegal to share these images or videos, but not illegal to watch them.

Student Loan Sharks

Image Source: Vn Express International

Okay this isn't necessarily a law, but it does come as a result of the Chinese Government. In other countries (most of them!) students get their tuition loans via the government, but over in China, most students have to fund their tuition via taking loans out from loan sharks. Wonder what their interest rates are?

The Death Penalty

Image Source: NBC News

The death penalty is a controversial technique used around the world at varying levels, some are lenient and save it for the worst crimes. In China however, the death penalty has been used in cases where over here in the US they might get a few years; crimes like fraud have led to the death penalty.

Land Ownership Is Non-Existent

Image Source: Reddit

The dream for many people is to own their own home and be able to build the dream life for them and their family. However, over in China the land on which their citizens dream houses might sit isn't actually purchasable. All land on Chinese soil is actually owned by the government. Thanks Communism!

Food Standards Are Low

Image Source: Reddit

You might think that China would have high standards based on their impact on cuisine in the world. But they actually have lacklustre food safety rules. They even have people whose purpose in life is to smuggle meat, yep you heard me. A few years back some men were found trying to smuggle 40 (FORTY) year old meat.

Doctor's Tickets

Image Source: The New York Times

In order to get some medical attention in China you actually have to get a registration ticket to enter the facility. Unfortunately, criminals as they always do, have found a way to abuse the system. This has meant that hundreds of thousands of people have been left without care as they've stolen or faked the tickets to sell.

Internal Migration Is Banned

Image Source: Reddit

One crazy law in China is that you basically have to live where you were born for your whole life. They conduct a census where people reveal their urban or rural status and physical descriptions. These are then used in order to set people's resident location. If a person leaves their specific area for more than 3 days then they have to apply for an (expensive!) permit.

Respect The Elderly

Image Source: Reddit

In 2013, a law was passed that essentially forced Chinese citizens to care for their elderly parents, making neglecting them a crime. They have to visit their parents fairly regularly, and they also have to help by teaching them technological advancements. One bonus is that employers have to help their employees by giving them some time off.

The Internet Is Controlled

Image Source: Reddit

We've already mentioned that adult content is banned in China, but it's actually the whole of the internet that's controlled by the Government. Essentially, only part of the internet is made available to citizens, therefore they have found a way to break this hold, by using VPN's.

Chinese Soldiers Can Get The Death Penalty

Image Source: Reddit

We've gone over the death penalty already regarding less serious crimes receiving the death penalty; It turns out that soldiers within the Chinese army aren't safe either. If they are found to refuse orders from a superior, surrender and/or be seen to be cowardly then they can also receive the penalty.

Video Games Are Banned

Image Source: Reddit

Now, not all video games are banned in China, which is no surprise as the eastern world are known to be key developers in the tech industry. But any video game known to portray sex, violence or gambling amongst other things are illegal to buy or sell. There are still people who illegally distribute though!

China Banned Jasmine Flowers

Image Source: Reddit

Following a revolution in Tunisia surrounding the harvesting of Jasmine flowers, a pro-democracy movement grew in China. This led to the country banning the sale of Jasmine flowers as well as the word itself on its controlled internet sites. Seem a little overboard if you ask me.

Height Was Key

Image Source: Reddit

We're going back around 2000 years for this law, but it was still enforced at some point in China. As they struggled to determine the age of people during this period, it was actually someone's height that determined if they were eligible to be held responsible for any crimes.

Forced Tourism

Image Source: Wendy Wei Tours

Guizhou Province obviously has some weird laws they like to pass! One of which came when they developed a plan to increase tourism. The policy was made forcing the offices within the province to send visitors to an old ancient village, and somehow it actually worked, seeing improvements in just 2 months.

Forced Smoking

Image Source: Reddit

In order to try and boost the local economy of Hubei, China, the local government passed a law forcing the civil servants in the area and other state employees to buy a specific local brand of cigarette. It did succeed, but the cheating of the economy led to the law being scrapped by the central government.

Stupid Traffic Law

Image Source: Reddit

Another weird traffic law in China revolves around what happens during a vehicle/pedestrian collision. The driver always has to take full responsibility for the issued unless the pedestrian can be proved to be at fault. And even if they're the only ones at fault the driver still has to cover 10% of fees despite them being innocent.

The One Child Policy

Image Source: The Wall Street Journal

This is by far the most notorious of Chinese laws in recent years, all adults were only allowed to have one child, unless they bought a very expensive child license. This was used in an attempt to mitigate against the overpopulation of the country. This has since been made the three child policy!

Reincarnation Is Banned

Image Source: Reddit

I'm not entirely sure how they can enforce this law, but technically it is illegal for any Tibetan monk to reincarnate following their death without first being granted permission by the government. I would love to watch this all unfold one day, maybe a TV trial or something like that!

Animal Farm

Image Source: Reddit

The famous book that many of us would have studied at some time during our school lives has been permanently banned in China. This came in to force during 2018 when presidential term limits were banned by the communist party. They hoped this would lower the risk of protests. Weird!

They Weren't Allowed To Cry

Image Source: Reddit

Around the same period as the height law, there was also a crackdown on men being seen crying. In fact, if you were a (tall enough) male, and you were found crying you could have all of your facial hair removed from the body; it's believed crying showed they were too weak.

Drinking Ink Punishment

Image Source: Reddit

During the period 581-618 also known as the Sui dynasty, if your handwriting was deemed to be untidy you could be struck with quite a hefty punishment. This is because they believed it showed a disrespect to the emperor; the punishment was that the guilty party would have to drink 200ml of ink!