TRAVEL ALERT: CHINA UNREST IN URUMQI, XINJIANG

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 071324 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC CH SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT: CHINA UNREST IN URUMQI, XINJIANG UYGHUR AUTONOMOUS REGION ¶1. The State Department alerts U.S. citizens to safety and security concerns in the city of Urumqi in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. This Travel Alert expires on August 10, 2009. ¶2. On July 5, 2009, ethnic violence erupted in Urumqi. The unrest continued in the following days, with Chinese state media reporting over one hundred and fifty deaths and more than one thousand injured. There is a significant increased security presence in Urumqi and its environs; sporadic outbreaks of violence may still occur. ¶3. There are no indications that this violence is directed at U.S. citizens; however, Americans in Urumqi and throughout Xinjiang are advised to avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. U.S. citizens in Urumqi should remain indoors and avoid unnecessary movement within the city. Americans planning a trip to Xinjiang are advised to defer travel to the region at this time. ¶4. U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the Department of State's travel registration website. By registering, American citizens can receive the Embassy's security and safety updates during their trip. Registration also ensures that U.S. citizens can be reached should an emergency arise either abroad or at home. While consular officers will do their utmost to assist Americans in a crisis, travelers always should be aware that local authorities bear primary responsibility for the welfare of people living or traveling in their jurisdictions. ¶5. Beijing: The U.S. Embassy is located at No. 55 An Jia Lou Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing. The American Citizen Services section can be contacted during regular business hours and for after-hours emergencies at (86) (10) 8531-4000. For detailed information please visit the U.S. Embassy web site. The Embassy consular district includes the following provinces/regions of China: Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, and Jiangxi. ¶6. Chengdu: The U.S. Consulate General in Chengdu is located at Number 4, Lingshiguan Road, Section 4, Renmin Nanlu, Chengdu 610041; tel. (86)(28) 8558-3992, 8555- 3119; after-hours emergencies (86)(28) 1370 8001 422. This consular district includes the following provinces/regions of China: Guizhou, Sichuan Xizang (Tibet),and Yunnan, as well as the municipality of Chongqing. ¶7. Guangzhou: The main office of the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou is located at Number 1 South Shamian Street, Shamian Island 200S1, Guangzhou 510133. The Consular Section, including the American Citizens Services Unit, is now located at 5th Floor, Tianyu Garden (II phase),136-146 Lin He Zhong Lu, Tianhe District; tel. (86)(20) 8518-7605; after-hours emergencies (86)(20) 8121-8000. This consular district includes the following provinces/regions of China: Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and Fujian. ¶8. Shanghai: The Consular Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai is located in the Westgate Mall, 8th Floor, 1038 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai 200031; tel. (86)(21) 3217-4650, ext. 2102, 2013, or 2134; after-hours emergencies (86)(21) 6433-3936. This consular district includes the following provinces/regions of China: Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. STATE 00071324 002 OF 002 ¶9. Shenyang: The U.S. Consulate General in Shenyang is located at No. 52, 14th Wei Road, Heping District, Shenyang 110003; tel. (86)(24) 2322-2374; after-hours emergencies (86)(24) 137-0988-9307. This consular district includes the following provinces/regions of China: Liaoning, Heilongjiang, and Jilin. ¶10. Travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and CANADA on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. ¶11. Minimize considered. CLINTON