Right to an Interpreter in a Police Case · 询问时的翻译权利
Article 101 — Public Security Administration Punishments Law of the PRC (2025 revision, in force 1 Jan 2026)
Where a person under investigation, a victim or a witness is deaf or mute, someone able to communicate in sign language must assist, and this must be noted in the record.
Where such a person does not understand the language commonly used locally, an interpreter must be provided, and this must be noted in the record.
(New entry: this is one of the most important procedural rights a foreigner has in a police case. If you do not read or speak Chinese, the police must provide an interpreter and note it in the record. You are under no obligation to sign a record you cannot read.
Related: Article 97 — questioning after a summons is normally capped at 8 hours, 12 hours where many people are involved or identity is unclear, and 24 hours where administrative detention may apply; questioning at a police case-handling site must be audio- and video-recorded throughout. Article 136 — public-security violation records must be sealed and may not be disclosed except in legally defined situations.)
询问聋哑的违反治安管理行为人、被侵害人或者其他证人,应当有通晓手语等交流方式的人提供帮助,并在笔录上注明。
询问不通晓当地通用的语言文字的违反治安管理行为人、被侵害人或者其他证人,应当配备翻译人员,并在笔录上注明。
(新增条目:这是外国人在治安案件中最重要的程序权利之一。如果你不懂中文,公安机关询问时必须为你配备翻译,并在笔录上注明。看不懂的笔录,你没有义务签字。
配套规定:第九十七条——传唤后询问查证一般不超过八小时;涉案人数众多或身份不明的不超过十二小时;可能适用行政拘留的不超过二十四小时;在执法办案场所询问应当全程同步录音录像。第一百三十六条——违反治安管理的记录应当予以封存,不得向任何单位和个人提供或者公开,法定情形除外。)