Keep passport, visa and identity copies outside your phone; after loss, report locally and apply for a travel document
Chinese missions can issue a travel document for return after passport loss, but need identity evidence. Passport data/visa-page images and travel records can help. Obtain a local police report, often needed for exit checks and insurance. Phones and passports can disappear together, so do not keep the only copies on the phone.
What it takes
Free; take photographs before departure.
What you may gain
Identity verification is necessary for replacement return-travel documents. Clear copies of passport details, visa pages and entry/exit records can speed the process. A local police receipt may be required by border authorities or insurers. Use the saved consular contacts to locate assistance.
Context & considerations
Keep two separate copies, for example secure cloud storage and a trusted family member, plus a paper copy apart from originals. Record bank-card and regular-medication prescription information too. A phone-only backup fails when the phone is lost alongside the passport.
Research & references
State Council of China (2023). Regulations on Consular Protection and Assistance, Order No. 763, Article 16. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202307/content_6891761.htm; the author's experience, without a direct research citation.