BEIJING -- China has issued a safety warning to Chinese visiting Rio de Janeiro for the Olympics following a spate of thefts and armed robberies committed against its athletes, officials, members of the media and others.

The Foreign Ministry said Friday that visitors should avoid dangerous areas of the city, leave their luxury watches at home and not carry backpacks or talk on mobile phones while walking in the street.

It advises that in the event of a robbery, people stay calm and avoid arguing with the perpetrators.

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China's delegation of athletes and officials in Rio numbers 711 people; the largest for the nation aside from 2008 when it hosted in Beijing.