UNCLAS STATE 058144

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC CM
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT - CHINA


1. This Travel Alert updates U.S. citizens on the effects
of the earthquake that struck China's Sichuan province on
May 12. American citizens should avoid the areas of
Sichuan province most severely affected by the earthquake
and be prepared for travel delays in other parts of the
province. Areas outside of Sichuan province are not
experiencing earthquake-related damage or delays. This
supersedes the Travel Alert dated May 16, 2008, and expires
on June 30, 2008.


2. Cities and towns to the north and northwest of
Sichuan's provincial capital, Chengdu, are the areas most
seriously damaged by the earthquake. These include
Wenchuan County near the earthquake's epicenter,
approximately 55 miles northwest of Chengdu, Beichuan,
Dujiangyan, Mianzhu, Mianyang, and Maoxian. Rescue and
recovery operations in this area are ongoing;
infrastructure has been damaged, and road, air and rail
transportation disrupted. Aftershocks continue to occur,
causing further damage and complicating the significant
rescue and recovery efforts now under way.


3. Other areas of Sichuan province, such as the large
metropolitan area of Chengdu, suffered less damage, but
continue to experience light aftershocks, as well as delays
in rail and airline service. Areas outside of Sichuan are
not experiencing earthquake-related travel delays.


4. For information on earthquakes and earthquake
preparedness, see
(www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/earthquakes .html) , and
(www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/index.shtm) .


5. Family members and friends unable to verify the safety
and welfare of U.S. citizens in the affected area should
call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or
from other areas via a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
U.S. citizens in the area are urged to monitor the local
news. Those residing or traveling in China are reminded to
register with the U.S. Embassy or the closest U.S.
Consulate, either online at
(https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs) or in person
at U.S. Embassy Beijing or at one of the following
consulates:

U.S. Consulate General Chengdu: Number 4, Lingshiguan Road,
Section 4, Renmin Nanlu, Chengdu 610041, tel. 86-28-8558-
3992, email: consularchengdu@state.gov. The U.S. Consulate
in Chengdu is open for full consular services and is
assisting U.S. citizens in the region.

U.S. Embassy Beijing: No. 2 Xiu Shui Dong Jie, Chaoyang
District, tel: 86-10-6532-3431, email:
amcitbeijing@state.gov. Embassy's website:
beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn. U.S. Embassy Beijing can be
reached 24 hours a day at 86-10-6532-3431.

U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou: 5th Floor, Tianyu Garden
(II phase), 136-146 Lin He Zhong Lu, Tianhe District, tel.
(86-20) 8518-7605 or 86-20-8121-8000; email:
GuangzhouACS@state.gov. Guangzhou adoptions email:
GuangzhouA@state.gov.

U.S. Consulate General Shanghai: Westgate Mall, 8th Floor,
1038 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai 200041; tel. (86-21) 3217-
4650, email: Shanghaiacs@state.gov.

U.S. Consulate General Shenyang: No. 52, 14th Wei Road,
Heping District, Shenyang 110003; tel. (86-24) 2322-1198,
email: ShenyangACS@state.gov.

Minimize considered.
RICE