China
China
About 1,160 persons of concern are registered with UNHCR in China, including around 340 refugees predominantly from Somalia, Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen. There are 303,106 Indo-Chinese refugees de facto integrated pending Government regularization.
In the absence of domestic asylum laws in China’s mainland, UNHCR registers asylum-seekers, carries out refugee status determination and seeks durable solutions. UNHCR China focuses on protection needs as well as raising awareness and mobilizing support for the organization’s global efforts to protect people forced to flee.
UNHCR began working in the People’s Republic of China in 1979, assisting the Government in managing an influx of Indo-Chinese refugees. UNHCR is represented by the Country Office in Beijing and a Sub-Office that covers Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions (SAR). The legal process for seeking asylum differs between these territories.
Additional information
For information about our work in China:
Visit the UNHCR China website for more information on our work in the area and the latest local news and stories.
For legislation, case law and UNHCR policy relating to claims for international protection, visit Refworld.
Office contact details
For information about our operation in China, please contact us through our Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
