LONDON - The Chinese embassy to the United Kingdom launched a video on the issue of consular protection and assistance on Tuesday, aiming to provide information to Chinese people traveling to the country.

The video gives advice on what to do when an emergency or accident occurs, such as a traffic accident, fraud, or being robbed or attacked, Lu Xu, counselor and consul-general of the Chinese embassy to the UK, told China Daily.

"It is aimed at all Chinese citizens who will work, study, live or travel in the UK, and those who already do so," said Lu.

"We wish to guarantee Chinese citizens' lawful rights and interests and strengthen their ability to protect themselves," she said.

This is the first time that a Chinese embassy has made a video to provide security and consular protection information to Chinese citizens overseas.

The video includes information on traveling in the UK, safety knowledge and how to seek help from the embassy, the police and lawyers.

Production of the video started in May last year and finished earlier this year.

"We selected a number of typical cases to ensure that the video was both interesting and informative," said Lu.

"We invited Chinese students and employees to appear in the video, as well as British policemen and border agency officers," Lu added.

The video was available on the Internet and mobile phones from Tuesday. It can be viewed by visiting the website of the Chinese embassy to the UK, xinhuanet.com or sina.com.cn.

The video can also be seen on China Eastern and Air China flights to the UK.

"The video is vivid and impressive," said Niu Wenjing, 26, who graduated from Cardiff University last year and currently works in London.

"What's more, we can watch the video on the Internet, it's more convenient than attending a safety lecture. I think the film will help Chinese people," said Niu.

"The video can improve the safety and legal awareness of Chinese people," said Li Qiang, a Chinese businessman who studied in the UK four years ago.

"It's beneficial, especially for people going to the UK for the first time. People can watch it before going abroad," Li said.

In 2009, more than 500,000 Chinese went to the UK. In 2010, about 200,000 traveled to the UK and nearly 120,000 studied in the country, according to figures from the Chinese embassy in the UK.

China Daily