Chinese who are out of the country now have easy access to emergency services and can keep themselves updated on local Chinese worker unions with Overseas Chinese Call, a mobile app released by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.

"Our overriding goal is to build a platform that better connects with Chinese working and living abroad and to serve them to the best of our ability," federation President Lin Jun said at the launch ceremony on Tuesday.

Registered app users can get emergency messages from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and make inquiries or report their concerns directly to consulates.

Step-by-step guidelines are provided on common problems, such as what to do if your passport is lost or stolen, and whom Chinese government officials should contact in the country being visited if relatives in China lose touch with the user.

The app also has a button for making free calls to the ministry's Center for Consular Assistance and Protection. The interface also shows a caller's latitude and longitude, allowing the caller to report his or her location.

The app also includes the basic functions of social apps "to better enhance local connections between Chinese unions and users in different geographic regions", federation Vice-Chairman Qiao Wei said.

The app allows users to send instant messages and make free phone calls.

The federation said the app is available for download from the Apple Store and Wandoujia, one of China's biggest app stores.

Qiao said the app will soon include contact information of 10 worldwide emergency service centers established by the federation and will contain helpful information for developing an overseas business.

(China Daily 07/29/2015 page5)