ANNUAL OSAC CRIME SAFETY REPORT

UNCLAS HONG KONG 000054 DEPARTMENT FOR DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/IP/EAP AMEMBASSY BEIJING FOR RSO AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU FOR RSO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC KSAC HK SUBJECT: ANNUAL OSAC CRIME SAFETY REPORT REF: 08 STATE 132056 ¶1. The Annual OSAC Crime Safety Report for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is submitted below, following the guidelines in reftel. ¶I. OVERALL CRIME AND SAFETY SITUATION: Post is not aware of any specific threats against American citizens in Hong Kong. However, all visitors should be aware of the current worldwide travel advisories before undertaking travel to the region. Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in Asia. Muggings and violent robberies occur occasionally, including against foreigners, but it is generally safe to walk around the city at any time of day or night. Nevertheless, travelers should exercise the same caution they would in any large city, and pay particular attention to personal belongings while in crowded areas and while traveling on Hong Kong's public transportation systems. Hong Kong has a highly developed and well-maintained road and highway network. Driving is done on the left-hand side of the road. Drivers should be particularly aware of motorcyclists, who often ignore lane markings. Public transportation and taxis are abundant, safe, inexpensive, and reliable. Visitors should consider using these forms of transportation. Each year, approximately 20,000 drivers, passengers, and pedestrians are killed or injured in traffic accidents in Hong Kong. The use of seatbelts in vehicles, if so equipped, is mandatory both in the front and back seat. II. POLITICAL VIOLENCE: The threat facing Americans from terrorism, war, or civil unrest is low. Public protests, demonstrations, and strikes occur but are seldom violent. Demonstrations are usually located in the Central District near various government buildings, which are close to the U.S. Consulate General. Post is not aware of any indigenous terrorist groups operating in Hong Kong. III. POST-SPECIFIC CONCERNS: In the late summer/early fall there is an increase in typhoons in Hong Kong. Public notification of weather conditions is excellent. There have been no significant disasters such as earthquakes, fires, or floods reported in Hong Kong. There have been no large-scale industrial or transportation accidents, no problems involving nuclear power plants, no kidnappings for ransom, no drugs or narco-terrorism, or anything else that is a security/safety concern for U.S. businesses or citizens. ; IV. POLICE RESPONSE: The general police support and response to foreign victims of crime is excellent. The Hong Kong Police are highly trained and professional. There are numerous police stations strategically located throughout the various districts and communities of Hong Kong. Their response time to emergencies is under five (5) minutes and under ten (10) minutes for non-emergency calls. The local police emergency number is 999. The operators speak English, Cantonese and Mandarin. ¶V. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES: For medical emergencies, the emergency telephone number is 999. Limited emergency personnel are trained to paramedic standards; most are trained to first responder level. They generally perform basic stabilization and transport ASAP to the nearest hospital. The trauma centers are: Queen Mary (Hong Kong Island) and Queen Elizabeth (Kowloon). There is 24-hour emergency care at the Adventist Hospital (Hong Kong Island). VI. TRAVEL PRECAUTIONS; HOW TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM: Hong Kong has many of the same crime problems as other major cities. Pick-pockets are especially numerous in areas of high congestion, e.g., Mass Transit Railway (MTR),Peak Tram, Star Ferry, Central District, and Wanchai. There have been numerous reports of robberies involving the drug rohypnol, commonly known as the "date rape drug." Most reports have involved bar staff and/or prostitutes from bars and clubs in the popular Wanchai and Tsim Sha Tsui districts. The drug is administered to unwitting victims via food or drink, who later awake to find all of their valuables missing. The drug causes the victim to lose consciousness, sometimes for over 24 hours, and often induces short term amnesia. Travelers are advised to avoid leaving drinks or food unattended, and should not accept food or drink from strangers or new acquaintances. Private security services and guard companies exist; are well established, and offer a wide spectrum of security specialties. VII. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact the following telephone numbers: Consulate General Hong Kong 852-2523-9011 24-hour Emergency Number 852-2841-2230 Regional Security Office 852-2841-2355 U.S. Foreign Commercial Service 852-2521-1467 VIII. The Hong Kong/Macau OSAC Country Council was established in ¶2000. More recently, the Country Council elected a new Steering Committee in December 2008. The Hong Kong/Macau OSAC meets quarterly or as needed. Representatives of U.S. businesses interested in participating in OSAC should contact the Regional Security Office at the number above or visit the Hong Kong Consulate General's OSAC website at hongkong.usconsulate.gov/osac.html. DONOVAN