try staying alive by all civil means

Order in?

It would depend on the reasons why there was public disorder. Who are people angry with? Their govt, Americans or Japanese?

Depends on the type of disorder.

If it was people rioting and protesting about some domestic issue, it might be unsafe to go outside for a few days until the police or whoever squashed it. I would stay inside as much as possible, keep my head down and avoid crowds. It would probably be over pretty quickly.

But, if it was some sort of international incident, say military action over a disputed island I could see it getting uncomfortable for foreigners here, especially if the U.S or whoever got involved. In that situation I'd probably consider getting the first plane out.

In either situation, I think the best thing we could do is not get involved, keep opinions to yourself, avoid public places wherever possible and have the means to buy a ticket out of the country if you needed to. It would always be a judgement call as to what to do.

I think its a very large possibility. The government has been pushing foreignerland hatred for eternity and the Chinese are sheep. They love getting riled up in mobs attacking everything with very little understanding of why. The mass japanese mobs a few years back and the white people attackings in Wuhan in 08 in response to some dumb shit with carrefour/ LV come to mind.

I dont really worry about it as I believe whole heartedly I could easily take on 20 or 30 of them. If I am really out gunned I will jump in a river. Its a poorly kept secret that Chinese people die when they come in contact with water.

If things got really crazy i am about a half hour from HK and me the wife and kid would be on a plane that day.

I'd find my friends first, and then we'd head to the embassy to see if they can help. If they can't help, I'd head straight to the airport and get on the next flight out. If there are no flights, I'd bunker in. 

You mean what I see on the streets at the moment isn't public disorder???

I live in a fairly international(-ish) city, in a compound where the majority of tenants are teachers (or relatives of) of various universities and the most prestigious school in the province - and thus, many of the people here are more educated than many others. Thus, I would say I'm fairly safe in my apartment and surroundings. And, I'm far enough away from lots of other people (downtown) that I shouldn't really be worrying about running out of food anytime soon.

If it did get that much worse, I'd say China as a whole was going to be going up in smoke, so my position may not be much worse than any locals. Leaving is always an option...

If there was a major international incident or war involving China and foreignerland I would seriously consider leaving the country. The chances are too great that I will become the target of some ignoramus who has been brainwashed into believing that people who look like me are the enemy. Think about the number of people you come into contact with on a daily basis in China - it's often thousands. It only takes one to decide to do something and you'd risk physical harm or a prison sentence - if a war broke out police would be that much more likely to side with the Chinese person over the laowai in any physical dispute.

If it was really bad (massive public unrest, widespread violence against foreigners)I would get a ride to the airport from someone I trust. Airports are generally safe places and I would feel pretty secure there until I was able to fly to Korea most likely (that's the only direct international flight from my nearest airport).

Even if war broke out with America (I'm American) I'd like to think that China has reached the point where it would allow American civilians to leave the country peacefully. Now the government officially allowing civilians to leave and the mobs in the streets letting you pass by safely are different matters.  I've actually daydreamed about the possibility of hiding out here with a family friend or relative in a safehouse, like the kind where Jews were harbored during the Holocaust. Such a situation is pretty far fetched but it's not totally crazy to think what you would do if shit really hit the fan and the government/people completely turned on waiguo overnight.

I will never forget the video of the anti-Japan riots a few years back. The sicko's attacked anyone & everyone, no reason needed. Most people hurt were simple Han just caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Did any of you see the footage of that middle-aged Han guy murdering that other Han guy by smashing his head in with a U-lock ? Unfortunately I'll never get that image out of my mind's eye. Victim's crime/perceived crime: Nothing

It's unlikely to happen. But if it did, I would find myself in another persons cliched shoes.

I could get a plane out. I could take my daughter with me. But I would have to leave my wife behind. Unless she happened to have a valid visa in her passport. If she did have a valid visa, then we would have to go though the asylum process in my home country.

If my wife had a valid visa she would need to leave her family behind.

Could I do that? Could I do a runner with my daughter and leave the loved ones behind?

I would in effect find myself in a Syrian's shoes, or Afghani shoes, or any multitude of other shoes.

If there was civil unrest I would try to run, with all the family. If a foreign power invaded because of neo-con politics, I would grab an AK and defend my family to the last.

I would do it American style. I would invoke the second to defend my family against the feds.

I would be proclaimed a traitor to the west. But I would die defending my western rights. The rights I was taught to hold sacred.

Then again, I would probably try to lead my family out. Maybe steal a boat? But I would not leave them in a refugee camp. I would stay with them. And as soon as the foreign politicians turned up for the photo op ,I would have my passport waving in his/her face.