Warden Message Regarding Tightened Security Measures Leading Up to the October 1 National Day Holiday

This Warden Message is to inform U.S. citizens of increased security measures in preparation for the October 1 National Day holiday in China.  According to The China Daily press reports, the Public Security Bureaus of Beijing municipality, Tianjin municipality, Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong, Liaoning, and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region are implementing heightened security measures in and around Beijing, including increasing patrol vehicles and conducting security checks on roads.  In addition, the Ministry of Public Security has called on local authorities to focus particularly on crime prevention throughout China during this period.  Provincial and municipal government authorities have announced that, in an effort to increase security and maintain public order, they will increase their vigilance regarding activities around diplomatic missions, transportation facilities, and other public areas from now through the first week of October.  U.S. citizens may experience random security checks and may need to produce official identification.  Travelers are reminded that Chinese regulations require foreigners to carry their passports with them at all times.  You may wish to make a photocopy of your passport and visa pages, and store them in a separate place for safekeeping.

In Beijing, preparations for the October 1 celebration on Tiananmen Square have resulted in traffic diversions and transportation stoppages.  The Global Times reports that the Beijing Capital International Airport will be closed from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm on October 1.  Travelers should check with their airlines to know what flights will be affected.  The Beijing Public Security Bureau’s Traffic Administration unit has set up a Chinese-language website to advise residents and travelers of road and public transportation closures through October 8.

Travelers should be prepared for tightened restrictions on travel.  According to the New York Times, local tour operators in Tibet reported that travel permits for foreigners have been suspended since September 20, but foreigners already holding permits will be allowed to travel.  Travelers to Tibet are advised to check with their tour operators for the latest updates.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. or Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). 

The U.S. Embassy can be reached 24 hours per day at 86-10-8531-3000. The addresses and telephone contact information for the American Citizen Services offices at the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates are at the bottom of this announcement. 

U.S. citizens residing or traveling in China are reminded to register with the U.S. Embassy or closest U.S. Consulate by entering your travel itinerary and contact information at:  https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs. In case of difficulties registering online, please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

U.S. Embassy Beijing:  Tian Ze Road intersection of An Jia Lou Road, Chaoyang District.  Telephone number during regular business hours and for after-hours emergencies: 86-10-8531-4000, Email: amcitbeijing@state.gov.  The embassy’s website is beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn. 

U.S. Consulate General Chengdu:  Number 4, Lingshiguan Road, Section 4, Renmin Nanlu, Chengdu 610041, tel. 86-28-8558-3992, Email: consularchengdu@state.gov.  For after-hours emergencies, please call 86-1370-800-1422. The consulate’s website is http://chengdu.usembassy-china.org.cn/.

U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou:  The Consular Section is located at 5th Floor, Tianyu Garden (II phase), 136-146 Lin He Zhong Lu, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510133, tel. (86-20) 8518-7605, Email: GuangzhouACS@state.gov.  Guangzhou adoptions Email: GuangzhouA@state.gov.  For after-hours emergencies, please call 86-20-8121-8000. The consulate’s website is http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/.

U.S. Consulate General Shanghai:  The Consular Section is located in the Westgate Mall, 8th Floor, 1038 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai 200041; tel. (86-21) 3217-4650, Email: Shanghaiacs@state.gov.  For after-hours emergencies, please call 86-21-6433-3936. The consulate’s website is http://shanghai.usembassy-china.org.cn/.

U.S. Consulate General Shenyang:  No. 52, 14th Wei Road, Heping District, Shenyang 110003; tel. (86-24) 2322-1198, Email: ShenyangACS@state.gov.  For after-hours emergencies, please call 86-137-0988-9307. The consulate’s website is http://shenyang.usembassy-china.org.cn/.