International students in China must comply with laws and regulations related to foreigners, local legislation, and university rules. The local Exit-Entry Administration Bureau, police stations, and universities share the responsibility for student management. Please ensure you understand Chinese laws during your stay to avoid any violations due to unfamiliarity with the law.

1. The related laws and regulations to prevent the risks caused by the epidemic

According to the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, the legitimate rights and interests of foreigners in China shall be protected by laws. Foreigners in China shall abide by the Chinese laws, and shall not endanger China’s national security, harm public interests and disrupt social and public order.

According to the Exit & Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, foreigners in China shall register their accommodation on time and comply with the identification inspection of public security organs. Besides, according to Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Frontier Health and Quarantine Law of the People’s Republic of China, and Regulations on Preparedness for and Response to Emergent Public Health Hazards, foreigners in China shall cooperate with the People’s governments at all levels and relevant departments in China when they take monitoring, isolation as well as other measures for effective prevention and control of the spread of infectious diseases and protection of public safety and health.

According to Law of the People’s Republic of China on Penalties for Administration of Public Security and Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China, whoever refuses health quarantine measures such as health declaration, temperature check, epidemiological investigation and collection of samples, or refuses health treatment measures such as isolation, inspection, local treatment and transfer to other hospitals for treatment shall be held accountable by the law and penalized with a warning, a fine or detention. Wherever a crime is constituted, criminal liabilities shall be investigated following the law.

2. Provisions on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners within the Territory of the People’s Republic of China

The People’s Republic of China respects the freedom of religious belief of foreigners within the Chinese territory and protects and administrates the legal religious activities of foreigners within Chinese territory by law. Foreigners may participate in religious activities at lawfully registered Buddhist monasteries, Taoist temples, mosques, churches within the Chinese territory according to their own religious beliefs. However, international students are prohibited from conducting any missionary work, religious ceremonies, or similar activities on campus.

3. Law of the People’s Republic of China on Penalties for Administration of Public Security

This law stipulates that no one is to commit acts such as the disruption of the social order, fights, drug abuse and trafficking, licentious activities and prostitution, infringement of the interests of others, destruction of public property and so on. Such acts will be punished strictly in accordance with the law if discovered.

4. Fire Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China

According to this law, no entity or individual shall damage, misappropriate or illegally dismantle or stop the use of a fire protection facility or apparatus, bury, occupy or cover a fire hydrant, occupy any fire separation distance, or occupy, block or close an evacuation passage, safety exit or fire truck passage. It is also prohibited to use unauthorized electrical appliances and set up electrical wire in the dormitory.

5. Road Traffic Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China

Within the territory of the People’s Republic of China all vehicle drivers, pedestrians, passengers, road traffic activity-related entities and individuals must obey this law. Therefore, international students’ motor vehicles and non-motor vehicles should be officially registered and driven lawfully. 

6. Narcotics Control Law of the People's Republic of China

Narcotics Control Law of the People's Republic of China is formulated to prevent and punish drug-related illegal and criminal behaviors, protecting the physical and mental health of citizens and maintaining social order. The term “narcotics” as mentioned in this Law refers to opium, heroin, methamphetamine (ice), morphine, cannabis, cocaine, and other narcotics and psychotropic drugs which are under the state control and addictive.

Article 59 Where anyone commits any of the following behaviors, if a crime is constituted, he shall be subject to corresponding criminal responsibility; if not, he shall be subject to punishment for public security:

  • smuggling, vending, transporting or manufacturing drugs;
  • illegally possessing drugs;
  • illegally planting original plants of drugs;
  • illegally trading, transporting, carrying or possessing seeds or seedlings of original plants of drugs which that have not been inactivated; 
  • illegally teaching manufacturing methods of narcotics, psychotropic drugs or precursor chemicals;
  • forcing, inducing, abetting or deceiving others to take in or inject drugs; or
  • providing drugs to others.
7. Provisions of Shanghai Jiao Tong University on the Administration of International Students
  • International students must fulfill their obligations as follows: to comply with Chinese laws and regulations; to respect social order and good customs; to abide by the university management system and norms for student behavior; to maintain the reputation of the university; to fulfill other obligations under the laws and regulations in China.
  • For students who violate laws or university regulations, the relevant function department of Jiao Tong University will subject them to corresponding criticism and disciplinary sanction in accordance with Provisions of Shanghai Jiao Tong University for Penalties on Violation of Regulation, and such conduct will affect their scholarships application and student status assessment.
  • International students should handle procedures concerning visa or residence permit registration in accordance with the laws and regulations. If students still need to study or remain in China after expiration, such students should conduct the formalities for the extension before the expiry of their visa or residence permits.
  • The university respects national customs and religious beliefs of international students, following the principle of separation of education and religion. However, activities such as preaching and religious gatherings are strictly forbidden on campus. The students with religious beliefs should participate in religious activities in lawful religious sites outside the campus.
  • All International students should comply with the International Student Accommodation Regulatory Rules of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The following acts are forbidden in the dormitory: usage of unpermitted electrical appliances, over-drinking of alcohol, fights, drug abuse, and religious rituals. The penalties for the violation of the Rules consist of three levels corresponding with the seriousness of the committed acts, i.e., written warnings, circulating a notice of criticism and cancellation of accommodation qualification. According to Provisions of Shanghai Jiao Tong University for Penalties on Violation of Regulation, the violator of the university regulations will be reported and transferred to the relevant function department for further penalties. All students residing in the dormitory are required to provide adequate compensation for any loss or damage of lawful rights and interests of others or public property caused by the violation of the university regulations.