TRAVEL ALERT - CHINA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 072072 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC 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. U.S. citizens should continue to 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 January 15, 2009. ¶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, Beichuan, Dujiangyan, Mianzhu, Mianyang, and Maoxian. Recovery and restoration operations in these areas are ongoing; infrastructure has been damaged, and road, air and rail transportation disrupted. Travelers may experience road blocks as far north as the popular tourist site, Jiuzhaigou, and as far west as Maerkang. Some secondary roads are dangerous or impassible in these areas as well. Aftershocks continue to occur, causing further damage, occasionally blocking roads, and complicating the significant recovery and restoration efforts now under way. The possibility of landslides exists throughout the affected area. ¶3. Other areas of Sichuan province, such as the large metropolitan area of Chengdu, suffered less damage, but continue to experience light aftershocks. 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 per 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, STATE 00072072 002 OF 002 Heping District, Shenyang 110003; tel. (86-24) 2322-1198, Email: ShenyangACS@state.gov. ¶6. Minimize considered. RICE