🇨🇳 China — Embassies & Consulates
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国外交部) oversees one of the world's largest diplomatic networks, encompassing approximately 270 overseas missions including embassies, consulates general, and permanent missions to international organisations. The ministry coordinates foreign policy, consular protection, and passport and visa services for Chinese nationals abroad. Citizens in distress can reach the 24-hour global consular protection and assistance hotline at 12308 (dialled as +86-10-12308 from overseas), which handles emergency assistance, arrest notifications, and humanitarian cases. The PRC strictly prohibits dual citizenship under the 1980 Nationality Law; any Chinese national who voluntarily acquires a foreign citizenship automatically loses PRC nationality. As a consequence, consular services for naturalised foreign citizens who were born in China are sharply limited — such individuals are generally regarded solely as citizens of their new country by Chinese authorities. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched in 2013, has significantly expanded China's diplomatic footprint across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe, with many embassy-level missions taking on an expanded economic and project-coordination role in BRI partner countries. Consular fees, appointment systems, and accepted document formats vary by mission; applicants are strongly advised to consult the specific embassy or consulate website before attending.
Notable embassies abroad
Washington DC
3505 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
+1 (202) 495-2216
us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/Consular section at 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW handles visa applications separately. Jurisdiction covers DC, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
London
49-51 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL, United Kingdom
+44 (0)20 7299 4049
gb.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/Consular section at 31 Portland Place (adjacent). Covers England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland is served by the Consulate General in Edinburgh; northern England by the Consulate General in Manchester.
Tokyo
3-4-33 Moto-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0046, Japan
+81 (0)3 3403 3388
jp.china-embassy.gov.cn/Located in the Minato diplomatic district. Regional consulates general operate in Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Nagasaki.
Moscow
6 Druzhby Street, Ramenki District, Moscow 117330, Russia
+7 (499) 951-8443
ru.china-embassy.gov.cn/One of China's largest missions globally, reflecting the scale of Sino-Russian relations. Regional consulates general in Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Irkutsk, Ekaterinburg, and Saint Petersburg.
Berlin
Märkisches Ufer 54, 10179 Berlin, Germany
+49 (0)30 27588-0
de.china-embassy.gov.cn/Located in the Mitte district near Jannowitz Bridge. Consulates general in Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt cover southern, northern, and western Germany.
Paris
20 Rue Monsieur, 75007 Paris, France
+33 (0)1 4952 1950
fr.china-embassy.gov.cn/fra/Located in the 7th arrondissement. The ambassador concurrently accredits to Monaco. A Consulate General in Lyon serves southern France.
New Delhi
50-D Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021, India
+91 (0)11 2611-2345
in.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/Located in the Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave. Consulates general in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. Verify current service availability — bilateral tensions have periodically affected consular operations.
Pretoria
225 Athlone Street, Arcadia, Pretoria 0083, South Africa
+27 (0)12 431-6537
za.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/Pretoria is South Africa's executive and diplomatic capital. Jurisdiction covers South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini. A Consulate General in Cape Town serves the Western Cape.
Sources & last verified
- Official source
- Last verified