My nephew is visiting Bejing, and is a few days overdue to contact his mother by email. He has previously studied there for an entire year, but this may be his first independent visit. I realize that 25 year olds do not attach the same significance to these agreements as do their parents, but he has a track record of reliable reporting.

The parents intend to contact the USA embassy, but I do not know if they will receive the level of personal attention that they expect. What else could they do remotely, or in person, to check if he is hospitalized, arrested, etc? I think they know "approximately" where he is living and studying, but I do not have those details.

I'm looking for procedural guidance, not detective work .