A brave police officer swam into a river to save a drowning woman in China.

Locals noticed the hapless victim struggling in the cold water near the Shali River Scenic Area at Sand River in Luohe, Henan, on February 9.

Concerned residents reportedly called the police for help, prompting officers Yuan Xiaoyu, Zhang Shiquan, and Li Jiang to respond.

Dramatic footage shows officer Yuan Xiaoyu wearing a life vest and carrying a life buoy as he swims towards the woman.

Moments later, he managed to grab her and swam to the riverbank, where his colleagues were holding onto a rope they had thrown into the water for Yuan to grab onto.

Standby medical staff then checked the woman's condition and reportedly confirmed that she was in good health and had not sustained any injuries from the incident.

Yuan Xiaoyu said: 'When I encounter this situation, my instinctive reaction is to save people, and it is also the duty of the people's police to save people.'