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Alerts
December 11, 2008
Alert
for Avian Influenza
On December 9, the Hong Kong government elevated the alert for Avian Influenza
(AI) to "serious", after discovering the H5 virus in live chickens at a chicken
farm in Yeun Long, New Territories, Hong Kong. In light of the elevated alert
status, we would like all Americans traveling or living in Hong Kong to be aware
of the latest information on AI. The Hong Kong Government maintains up-to-date
information on AI on their website:
http://www.info.gov.hk/info/flu/eng/index.htm
For further information about Avian Influenza, please consult the United States
Centers for Disease Control Website at
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/ or the U.S. State Department fact sheet at
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.html
U.S. Consulate General
Hong Kong
July 25 2007
Hong Kong Enterprises Must Register
Before 23 October to Safeguard Processing Trade Business
On 23 July, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and General Administration of
Customs promulgated Announcement No.44 on the issuance of the Catalogue of
Products under the Restricted Category in Processing Trade. Under Article 5 of
the Announcement, for enterprises in the eastern region which have not been
granted foreign trade rights before 23 July, their application for engagement in
the processing trade of products under the restricted category will not be
entertained. However, for enterprises in the eastern region which have
undertaken processing activities before without foreign trade rights, if they
register with the local commerce department before 23 July 2007 and convert into
enterprises with foreign trade rights within the specified time frame, they will
not be subject to Article 5. Also, enterprises which have changed their names
due to corporate restructuring but whose equity and legal representatives have
not changed will not be subject to the article. Hong Kong companies engaging in
processing with supplied materials and intending to convert into
foreign-invested enterprises and continue to engage in the export of products
under the restricted category in processing trade should register with the local
commerce department before 23 October to declare their status as old enterprises
in order to retain their qualification for engaging in the processing trade of
products under the restricted category.
According to MOFCOM, in the calculation of the payable customs duty deposit for
products under the restricted category, the so called ˇ§integrated tax rateˇ¨ is
calculated on the basis of combining the import tariff and import-related
value-added tax rates. The current rate is 22%, and Customs can adjust the rate
in the future in accordance with the actual situation.
For interpretation of the catalogue by MOFCOM in Chinese, please visit:
http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/ae/ai/200707/20070704919873.html
For details of the above catalogue and its implementation in Chinese, please
visit:
http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/b/c/200707/20070704918873.html
November 13, 2005
Below is a warden
message issued on November 13, 2005 by the American Consulate General in Hong
Kong for your information:
The United States Government has received credible information that a terrorist
threat may exist against official U.S. Government facilities in Guangzhou. This
threat also may exist for places where Americans are known to congregate or
visit, including clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools or outdoor
recreation events.
American citizens in south China are advised to be aware of their surroundings
and remain alert to possible threats. Americans living or traveling in China are
encouraged to register with the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou through the
State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov/.
By registering,
American citizens make it easier for the Consulate to contact them in case of
emergency.
U.S. citizens planning to travel to China should consult the Department of
State's country-specific Public Announcements, Travel Warnings,Consular
Information Sheets
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html, the Worldwide
Caution Public Announcement
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html and other
information, available at
http://travel.state.gov/ Up-to-date information on security conditions
can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. and for callers
outside the U.S. and Canada a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
U.S. CONSULATE GENERAL HONG KONG
26 GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG
October 7, 2005
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
Earlier this year, I wrote about a plan by the US Department of State called the
"Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative," which is designed to enhance border
security. It will require people traveling between the United States and the
Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada to have a passport to enter or
re-enter the United States. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico and
Bermuda will be affected.
Under the original plan, the new passport requirements would have been phased in
beginning on December 31, 2005. But after the timeline was announced, several
groups lobbied to have the timeline or the requirements changed. Upon further
review, the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security have
acknowledged that implementing the plan as originally proposed would be
problematic for travelers during the upcoming winter tourism season. Therefore,
the timeline for implementation has been revised as shown below:
Beginning December 31, 2006,
a passport will be required for all air and sea travel to or from Canada,
Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
Beginning December 31, 2007,
the passport requirement will be extended to include all land border crossings
to or from the above-mentioned destinations.
Currently, passports are recommended but not required for travel to and from
Canada, Mexico, Panama, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Always check with your
Vacations To Go cruise counselor at the time of booking to verify documentation
that will be required.
It's possible that international frequent travelers holding Sentri, Nexus or
Fast Cards, or Border Crossing Cards, may not need passports for land border
crossings, but no final decision has been made.
You can learn more about the Western Hemisphere
Travel Initiative on the US Department of State's Web site. For answers to
frequently asked questions, click
here. For
information about obtaining or renewing a passport as a US citizen, click
here. For information
about obtaining or renewing a passport as a Canadian citizen, click
here to visit
Passport Canada.
August 17, 2005
American Citizens Services
Appointment System for All
American Citizens Services Effective August 8, 2005
Effective August 8, 2005,
appointments will be required for all services provided by the American Citizens
Services Unit at the U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong (including passport
applications, adding additional passport pages, birth registration, notarials,
and general inquiries). Services related to federal benefits and genuine
emergencies do not require appointments. This new system will reduce waiting
time for our customers. To avoid common impediments to quicker processing
(including incorrect photographs, letters of consent from parents that are not
notarized and insufficient documents), please first check the requirements of
the relevant service at
http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/consular/acs.htm.
Then, please make an appointment at
http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/consular/acs/appointment.htm.
Appointments are available from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.,
Monday to Friday, except for Wednesday afternoons and U.S. and local holidays.
美國公民服務部由二零零五年八月八日開始網上預約
由二零零五年八月八日開始，所有美國公民服務部的服務都需要網上預約（包括申請護照、護照加頁、為其新生子女申請成為美籍、公證文件及一般查詢），長俸部事宜及緊急事宜除外。新措施可減少申請人的輪候時間。為免不必要的延誤（如不合規格的照片、沒有公證的父或母的護照申請同意書及不齊備的文件），請先瀏覽美國領事館的網址：http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/consular/acs.htm
及預備所需文件。
預約時間為早上八時三十分至十一時三十分及下午一時三十分至三時三十分，逢星期三下午和本地及美國假期除外。預約網址為http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/consular/acs/appointment.htm
January 13, 2004
Please briefly review the
following announcements concerning travel and visas. These messages are not
related to each other and have been compiled and forwarded for your reference
and convenience:
1. New Entry Procedures for Foreign Visitors with Non-Immigrant Visas
2. Visa Referral Program Chinese New Year Vacation Notice
3. Public Announcement: Worldwide Caution
1. New Entry Procedures for Foreign Visitors with Non-Immigrant Visas
WASHINGTON, DC, JANUARY 5, 2004 - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security today
launched US-VISIT, a new program to enhance the nation's security while
facilitating legitimate travel and trade through our borders. New entry
procedures took effect today for most foreign visitors with non-immigrant visas
at 115 airports and cruise ship terminals at 14 seaports. The system utilizes
biometrics, which are physical characteristics unique to each individual, to
verify identity. Biometric technologies are the basis of an extensive array of
highly secure identification and personal verification solutions.
US-VISIT requires that most foreign visitors traveling to the U.S. on a visa
have their two index fingers scanned and a digital photograph taken to verify
their identity at the port of entry. The US-VISIT program will enhance the
security of U.S. citizens and visitors by verifying the identity of visitors
with visas. At the same time, it facilitates legitimate travel and trade by
leveraging technology and the evolving use of biometrics to expedite processing
at our borders.
For more information on this system and how it works please click here:
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0333.xml
2. AmCham Visa Referral Program Information Notice
(only affects those currently in the AmCham Visa Referral Program)
Greetings from the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai. Due to Chinese New Year,
the Consulate will not be accepting visa applications (or couriers) next
Tuesday, January 20. Please note that the normal Tuesday drop-off will resume
the following week.
If you have questions, you can direct them to Bob DeWitt. Our phone number is
3217-4650 and our fax number is 6217-2072. Thank you very much for your time and
attention, and we are sorry for any inconvenience.
3. Public Announcement: Worldwide Caution
This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated December 21, 2003. It is being
issued to remind U.S. citizens of the continuing threat that they may be targets
of terrorist attacks even though the homeland security threat level has returned
to Yellow (Elevated) from Orange (High). This Worldwide Caution expires on July
9, 2004.
The U.S. Government remains deeply concerned about the security of U.S. citizens
overseas. U.S. citizens are cautioned to maintain a high level of vigilance, to
remain alert and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.
We are seeing increasing indications that Al-Qaida is preparing to strike U.S.
interests abroad. Al-Qaida and its associated organizations have struck in the
Middle East in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and in Europe in Istanbul, Turkey. We
therefore assess that other geographic locations could be venues for the next
round of attacks.
We expect Al-Qaida will strive for new attacks designed to be more devastating
than the September 11 attack, possibly involving nonconventional weapons such as
chemical or biological agents. We also cannot rule out that Al-Qaida will
attempt a second catastrophic attack within the U.S. Terrorist actions may
include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, hijackings, bombings or
kidnappings. These may also involve commercial aircraft and maritime interests,
and threats to include conventional weapons, such as explosive devices.
Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. These may
include facilities where U.S. citizens and other foreigners congregate or visit,
including residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools,
hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. U.S. citizens should
remain in a heightened state of personal security awareness when attendance at
such locations is unavoidable.
U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert.
These facilities may temporarily close or suspend public services from time to
time to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and
consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S.
citizens. Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain
contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security
threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through
its consular information program documents, available on the internet at
http://travel.state.gov.
In addition to information on the internet, 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 1-317-472-2328
December 11, 2003
FDA Bioterrorism Rules About to Take
Effect on December 12, 2003 - Go to our "Trade Issues" Page for Detail
May 12, 2003
Eliminating the USD80,000
exclusion on foreign earned income and housing expenses!
As many of you have
heard by now, the US Senate Finance Committee recently approved a tax bill which
includes a provision eliminating the USD80,000 exclusion on foreign earned
income and housing expenses. If this bill becomes law, it may result in a
significant increase in your personal tax liability for some of us currently
working or planning to work overseas.
It is urgent that you make your objection to this action heard now, as the full
Senate will begin discussing the bill this week. We therefore encourage you to
write to your Senators and your Congressperson immediately on this important
issue. We include House members because, should the full Senate approve
the bill as written, it will be considered by a joint House/Senate committee.
Please contact your Senators
www.senate.gov
and Congressperson
www.house.gov to voice your objection.
FAX numbers should be available from the Member's website. Please do not
"MAIL"--since the anthrax scare, mail can take weeks to be delivered.
EMAIL is possible for most offices only if you provide a local (U.S.)
address and zip code.
May 8, 2003
We have been asked by the
Hawaii Department of Health to notify our affiliated Chambers about this
important information about "suspicious power".
A local
chamber of commerce in Kentucky received a letter from Brazil containing a
suspicious powder. A quick web search turned up the fact that these letters are
being received at chambers in many states this week.
It appears
that several chambers of commerce in cities across the country are receiving
letters from Brazil containing threatening language and suspicious powders. None
of the powders have tested positive for any dangerous substance. Some of the
hoax letters reference a virus called ZAMPRINA; the Kentucky Commissioner of
Public Health has confirmed with the CDC's
virologists that this is not a known virus.
If you receive suspicious mail
postmarked from Brazil, and do not know the sender, do not open it. Contact your
emergency building contact or local law enforcement authorities. To review
suspicious mail protocols, visit the Kentucky Emergency Management protocol that
was
developed
during the Anthrax attacks and hoaxes of 2001 here:
http://kyem.dma.state.ky.us/newsroom/suspiciousmail.html
Here are two
short news clips from other areas of the country, to give you a fuller picture
of the types of letters that have been received.
From Chicago
news, May 6, 2003:
Suspicious
powder in Kenosha - The Kenosha municipal building will be closed today as
authorities continue to investigate the nature of a green powder substance
contained in a letter that arrived at the building Monday, according to
broadcast reports. The substance of the mysterious letter is not anthrax, a test
conducted by the Milwaukee Health Department determined, WLS-Channel
7 reported. But tests will
continue to determine if the powder could be of a dangerous chemical or
radiological in nature, Channel 7 said. Six people from the fire station inside
the municipal building were transported to a local hospital for observation.
Another letter of a similar nature arrived at the Kenosha Area Chamber of
Commerce, and four people were
decontaminated
and hospitalized for observation.
From the
Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 6, 2003:
CLEVELAND -
Contents not hazardous
The FBI said
yesterday that brown particles inside a letter mailed to the Greater Cleveland
Growth Association were not hazardous. The letter, which threatened Americans
with a virus, was postmarked in Brazil, FBI spokesman Robert Hawk said. The Ohio
Department of Health tested the substance, which had the consistency of
breadcrumbs, but found nothing harmful. Chambers of commerce or city halls in
three other cities - Redwing, Minn.; Albany, Ore.; and Uniontown - received
similar letters, and authorities are investigating. Hawk said the note indicated
disgust with the United States' attacks on Iraq.
Gwenda
Bond, Office of Communications, Cabinet for Health Services, (502)564-6786
April 9, 2003
Go to Our Resource
Center Page for Complete
News Updates on SARS
March 20, 2003
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT - WORLDWIDE
CAUTION
This Public Announcement is being updated to alert Americans to an increased
potential for anti-American violence, including terrorist actions against U.S.
citizens, as a result of the military action in Iraq. The U.S. Government
remains deeply concerned about the security of Americans overseas.
American citizens are reminded that it is more important than ever to
maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to
increase their security awareness. This Worldwide Caution supersedes that
issued on February 6, 2003 and expires on July 20, 2003.
As a result of military action in Iraq, there is a potential for retaliatory
actions to be taken against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world.
Public demonstrations carry the potential for precipitating violence directed at
American citizens, symbols associated with the United States or other U.S. and
western interests.
The threat to U.S. citizens includes the risk of attacks by terrorist groups.
Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations,
bombings or kidnappings. Possible threats include conventional weapons
such as explosive devices or non-conventional weapons, including chemical or
biological agents. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian
targets. These may include facilities where Americans and other foreigners
congregate or visit, such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of
worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches.
U.S. citizens should increase their security awareness at such locations, avoid
them, or switch to other locations where Americans in large numbers generally do
not congregate.
U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert and
some have drawn down their dependents and/or personnel. These facilities
may temporarily close or suspend public services from time to time for security
reasons. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make
every effort to provide emergency services to American citizens. Monitor
the local news and maintain contact with the nearest American embassy or
consulate.
As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security
threats to Americans overseas, it
shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program
documents, available on the Internet at
http://travel.state.gov.
In addition toinformation on the Internet, U.S. travelers can get up-to-date
information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. and
outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 317-472-2328.
AMERICAN CONSULATE GENERAL HONG KONG
26 GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Wardens Message from the U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong
March 20, 2003
Armed conflict with Iraq began on March 20, 2003.
The Department of State advises American citizens to take prudent steps to
ensure their personal safety in the
coming days. Remain vigilantly aware of surroundings, avoid crowds and
demonstrations, keep a low profile,
vary times and routes for all travel, and ensure travel documents are current.
Listen to news reports and check the U.S. Consulate General website,
www.hongkong.usconsulate.gov, for updated information.
U.S. citizens and interests worldwide are at risk of terrorist attacks,
including by groups with links to Al-Qaida. U.S. Government facilities are
on a heightened state of alert. The Consulate General in Hong Kong may
temporarily close or suspend public services from time to time for security
reasons. In that event, we will make every effort to continue to provide
emergency services to American citizens and will provide contact information by
a warden message and on our website. Monitor the local news as well as the
Department of State website,
http://travel.state.gov,
for information concerning safety and security of American citizens overseas.
The Department of Homeland Security websites, www.dhs.gov and www.ready.gov, may
also provide useful information.
American citizens with questions or concerns may telephone the Consulate General
at (852) 2523-9011. In case of an emergency outside business hours or
during any suspension of public services, American citizens may reach the
Consulate General duty officer by calling (852) 2523-9011. American
citizens may also contact the Department of State, if calling from outside the
United States at 317-472-2328, or, from within the U.S., toll free at
1-888-407-4747.
American citizens in Hong Kong and Macau who have not yet registered with the
Consulate General are urged to do so as soon as possible. You may register
in person by coming to the American Citizen Services Unit, Consular Section, at
the Consulate General, 26 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong, during the
Consulate's regular work hours or register on-line through the consulate General
website at www.hongkong.usconsulate.gov. American citizens already
registered with the Consulate General are urged to update their registration
information.
U.S. citizens should consult the Department of State's consular information
documents, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement located on the
Department's Internet website at
http://travel.state.gov.
AMERICAN CONSULATE GENERAL
HONG KONG
26 GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG
March 17, 2003
This is one of an occasional series of messages from the U.S. Consulate's
American Citizen Services unit to American Citizens registered with the
U.S.Consulate in Shanghai. The attached notice regarding personal security
precautions has been provided to U.S. Consulate staff and is being forwarded for
your information and consideration. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General
throughout China are also taking similar precautions. The Consulate will
continue to advise U.S. citizens in China of important issues related to
security as necessitated by international and local developments.
Text of Message to Employees
As
the United States draws nearer to a possible conflict in Iraq, members of the
Emergency Action Committee recently met to discuss ways to improve our security
posture. This memorandum is designed to inform you of the steps that would be
taken in the event of hostilities. It also contains advice each member of the
Mission should follow to help keep us all safe.
Activate Warden Systems.
In the event of hostilities, the Embassy will notify all Americans
through the country-wide warden email communications system.
Vary Daily Routines/flexible Work Schedule.
To reduce our vulnerability and to avoid setting easily recognizable
patterns, the Embassy will implement a flexible work schedule. The times and
routes of the Embassy shuttle service will vary from day to day. All Americans
should review their personal schedules for discernable patterns.
Limit School Attendance.
In the event of hostilities, several of the larger international schools plan to
close on the first school day immediately following commencement of military
action in Iraq. Should hostilities begin, the Mission recommends that our
children remain home on the first school day following the start of military
action. While schools are not traditionally under threat, the Embassy has
requested that host government security work in tandem with the international
schools to ensure adequate security is in place for their facilities and bus
transportation.
Large representational or social functions.
As noted in previous Department of State issued Worldwide Cautions,
families should review their social and business schedules and avoid public
areas where foreigners or Americans are generally known to congregate.
Communication.
Smooth implementation of any plan requires that everyone be briefed in advance
regarding the precautions to be taken. Each employee should discuss these
precautions with his/her family members. Section heads and agency heads need to
ensure that contact information is kept current. Employees in travel status may
need to be located and accounted for; make sure you have accurate contact
information. All employees (American and Chinese) who have been issued cellular
telephones should carry them at all times when outside of their residences or
homes. Employees should consider leaving their cellular telephones on at night.
We also recommend that employees keep a copy of the internal Cascade warden tree
next to their home telephone and ensure that they are familiar with the warden
tree's notification procedures. Please note that it is Embassy policy that
supervisors are responsible for ensuring that a system is in place to notify all
their employees (American and non-American) about decisions that impact on their
safety and security.
American Citizen Services
U. S. Consulate General
Shanghai, China 200031
ADD: 1469 Huai Hai Zhong Lu, Shanghai
Tel: 86-21-64336880
Fax: 86-21-64711148
(Source & Credit: American Chamber of Commerce-Shanghai)
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