Shenzhen implements rescue fee recovery to curb reckless hiking

Dapeng New District in Shenzhen, a premier destination for outdoor sports in China, has introduced a cost-recovery policy for public rescue operations. 

This marks the first time the southern Chinese tech hub has sought reimbursement for mountain rescues involving individuals who venture into undeveloped or restricted areas.

On May 7, a hiker surnamed Liu became the first person to reimburse the district after being rescued from a three-hour ordeal in a valley near the Dalu Bay.

Liu volunteered at a trailhead in the E’gong Village, Nan’ao Subdistrict to distribute safety leaflets. File photo

Following the incident, Liu volunteered at a trailhead in the E’gong Village, Nan’ao Subdistrict, where he distributed safety leaflets and urged fellow hikers to steer clear of prohibited zones.

Liu recounted that he and his companions took a shortcut toward Xichong, only to find themselves lost in unauthorized terrain. After being trapped for hours, they were forced to call for emergency assistance. The Dapeng New District Fire Brigade spent four hours executing the rescue.

"I have realized how dangerous it is to enter undeveloped areas," Liu said. "Volunteering here is necessary a necessary way to raise public safety awareness."

Officials from the Dapeng New District Emergency Office said that charging for rescue costs serves as a deterrent against reckless risk-taking. Such behavior not only endangers lives but also strains valuable emergency resource.