Illegal immigration in China is a major problem, particularly with North Korean refugees and defectors fleeing their country. The Chinese government actively discourages this type of behavior out of fears that it may cause instability in the region and encourage more illegal immigration. The government has been criticized for its aggressive approach to illegal immigration.
China is building a security barrier along its border with North Korea to prevent the defectors or refugees from North Korea. Also, many immigrants from Mongolia have tried to make it to China. There might be as many as 100,000 Africans and Arabs in Guangzhou, mostly illegal overstayers. To encourage people to report foreigners living illegally in China, the police are giving a 100 yuan reward to whistleblowers whose information successfully leads to an expulsion.