If a fight breaks out, call the police first — the one who strikes first almost always loses

Anyone who assaults another person faces 5 to 10 days in jail and a fine of 500 to 1000 yuan. If they act in a group, target the elderly, pregnant women, children, or disabled individuals, or repeat the assault multiple times, the penalty rises to 10 to 15 days in jail and a fine of 1000 to 2000 yuan. Causing minor injuries to another person turns it into a criminal case, punishable by up to 3 years in prison; serious injuries bring a sentence of 3 to 10 years. When two people fight each other, it does not qualify as self-defense — the person who strikes first almost always suffers the consequences. Moving to a crowded area and calling the police is far more effective than retaliating.

Cost

No cost at all. Simply move to a crowded area and call the police so the other person’s actions are captured on camera. The hard part is resisting the urge to shout back or push them.

Benefit

Under the law, anyone who assaults another person or intentionally harms them faces 5 to 10 days in jail and a fine of 500 to 1000 yuan. Those who act in a group, target vulnerable groups, repeat the assault, or attack multiple people at once receive 10 to 15 days in jail and a fine of 1000 to 2000 yuan. Group fights are treated as hooliganism, carrying a maximum penalty of 15 days in jail and a 2000 yuan fine. Intentional bodily harm that meets criminal criteria results in up to 3 years in prison; serious injuries bring a sentence of 3 to 10 years. Legally, mutual fighting does not count as self-defense. However, if the other person strikes first and uses excessive force, or if you try to avoid the fight but they keep attacking, your retaliation is generally deemed lawful self-defense. Only when your response clearly exceeds what is necessary and causes major harm does it qualify as excessive self-defense, which still warrants a reduced or waived penalty (nationwide, effective January 1, 2026 under the Public Security Administration Punishment Law).

Notes

After the 2025 revision of the Public Security Administration Punishment Law, all article numbers changed; assault now falls under Article 51 instead of the old Article 43, so any older references are outdated. The definition of “minor injuries” used to determine criminal liability is set by official appraisal standards, which this section does not verify. If the aggressor is already on the ground or has fled, the threat ends, and any further retaliation is no longer considered self-defense.

Sources · 3

1. 全国人大常委会 (2025). 治安管理处罚法（2025 年修订，第三十、五十一条）. spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/202506/t20250627_699863.shtml
2. 全国人大 (1997). 刑法（第二十、二百三十四条）. spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/201802/t20180206_364975.shtml
3. 最高人民法院、最高人民检察院、公安部 (2020). 关于依法适用正当防卫制度的指导意见（法发〔2020〕31 号，第 6、9、11、14 条）. court.gov.cn/zixun/xiangqing/251611.html