Do not use force when police stop or take you in; challenge misconduct through legal channels
Obstructing lawful official duties can bring a warning, fine, or detention. Violently attacking police lawfully performing their duties is a separate criminal offense. Biting, slapping, kicking, throwing, or hurling objects that cause the specified injury or other legally relevant consequences can meet its conditions. More dangerous attacks can carry three to seven years. Ordinary resistance is not automatically the same as a violent police assault, but do not assume it is consequence-free.
What it takes
Nothing to avoid physical resistance. Complaints, administrative reconsideration, and litigation are routes for later challenge. Controlling anger during the encounter, especially after drinking, is the difficult part.
What you may gain
Obstructing a state official’s lawful duties can bring a warning or a fine up to RMB 500; serious circumstances bring five to ten days’ detention and an optional fine up to RMB 1,000. Obstruction of police is treated more severely. Violent assault on police lawfully performing duties carries up to three years; methods such as firearms, controlled knives, or vehicle attacks that seriously endanger personal safety carry three to seven years. The cited 2025 interpretation discusses biting, slapping, kicking, throwing to the ground, and throwing objects causing at least the specified slight-injury level within its criteria. Ordinary actions such as pulling an arm away, breaking free, or struggling with the legs are distinguished from the criminal violent-assault category under the interpretation.
Context & considerations
The 2021 report recorded 405 arrest approvals in the first month. Of 42 Jiangsu cases, 47.6% began with alcohol-related trouble; 12 of 16 Hubei cases involved punching, kicking, or biting. Attacks on auxiliary police may instead fall under obstruction of official duties, depending on the facts. The original did not identify a verified case with an individual’s full circumstances here. Do not push, hit, or seize an officer’s recording equipment; preserve objections for lawful complaint and review procedures.
Research & references
Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (2025). Revised Public Security Administration Punishments Law, Article 61. https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/202506/t20250627_699863.shtml; Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (2020). Criminal Law Amendment XI, Article 31, concerning Article 277(5). https://www.spp.gov.cn/zdgz/202012/t20201227_503682.shtml; National People’s Congress (2020). Criminal Law consolidated through Amendment XI, Article 277. https://jtgl.beijing.gov.cn/jgj/jgxx/flfg/fl/11033925/index.html; Supreme People’s Court and Supreme People’s Procuratorate (2025). Interpretation on assault-on-police cases, 2025 No. 1, Articles 1, 8, and 12. https://www.spp.gov.cn/xwfbh/wsfbt/202501/t20250116_679579.shtml; Supreme People’s Procuratorate (2021). Arrest approval for 405 people in the first month of the separate police-assault offense. https://www.spp.gov.cn/xwfbh/wsfbh/202105/t20210517_518308.shtml.