American Citizens Services Newsletter
ACS Newsletter (November 2005)
U.S. CONSULATE GENERAL HONG KONG
November 2005
Welcome to the November newsletter!
Through this monthly newsletter, we provide information pertaining to security and other topics of interest to U.S. citizens in Hong Kong and Macau who have registered with American Citizens Services (ACS).
Here are this month's topics:
Macau Day: November 16, 2005 (Wednesday)
On Wednesday, November 16, 2005, our staff will travel to Macau to provide limited services for American Citizens. Services to be offered during this visit include notarials (US$30/HKD240 for each signature of consular officer), passport processing (US$82/HKD656, US$67/HKD536, or US$97/HKD776 depending on age and type), and birth registration (US$65/HKD520 for each child). These services will be available from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Academy of Music, located at Rua de Santa Clara, No. 19, 2/F., adjacent to City Hall and near Catholic Social Services, Rua de Santa Clara 13, Macau. Clients who are physically challenged and/or require special arrangements to access this location may call 2841-2211, 2841-2323 or 2841-2225 in advance to facilitate access.
To enable us to best assist you in Macau--
Please check our website (http://www.hongkongacs.com) for information on what specific identification, forms and supporting documents are required for each service.
Please present your passport for all services.
Please bring the original and one photocopy of each piece of identification and/or supporting document (such as passports, birth certificates, marriage and divorce certificates, Macau ID cards, etc.).
Please have all relevant form(s) completed before requesting any passport services. Download the forms from our web site.
Blank visa pages may be added to undamaged U.S. passports, free of charge. Additional visa pages will not be added to one year emergency passports or to damaged passports. Download the necessary forms from our web site. If you need extra pages for your passport, please fax us a copy of your passport's personal data page by noon on November 14, 2005 (Monday). Please write "Macau - Extra Pages" at the top and fax to (852) 2845-4845.
Please bring exact cash (US or HK dollars) for any fee services you require. Patacas will not be accepted.
If you need a service not listed above, please contact us in advance at 2841-2211, 2841-2323, or 2841-2225. We may be able to bring with us what you need for that service.
Please help us spread the word by sharing this notice with other U.S. citizens living in Macau!
Taiwan: Screening Requirements for Avian Influenza
In response to an alert issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Taiwan Center for Disease Control (TCDC) announced new screening requirements for Avian Influenza. All passengers on flights from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia will be asked to monitor their body temperature for the first ten days upon arrival in Taiwan. Visitors will be asked to take their temperature twice a day and record it on a form provided at the airport. TCDC is asking that any passenger that experiences a fever over 38 degrees centigrade within ten days of arriving in Taiwan should wear a mask and see a doctor immediately. Any inbound passenger from these four countries arriving at a Taiwan airport with a fever over 38 degrees centigrade will be interviewed by quarantine personnel and asked to complete a "Communicable Disease Survey Form."
Any passenger that fails to inform the health authorities and transmits Avian Influenza to others will be subject to a fine between NT$ 3,000 (US$90) and NT$ 15,000 (US$450).
Warning: Possible Demonstrations in the People's Republic of China
On the morning of October 17, 2005 newspapers reported that Prime Minister of Japan Junichiro Koizumi visited the controversial Yasukuni war shrine.
Recent news reports could lead to the recurrence of anti-Japanese demonstrations similar to those seen in April 2005. In the past, these events have resulted in property damage and some instances of violence that required a police response. Americans are urged to monitor the local news, be vigilant of their surroundings, and avoid crowds. Past demonstrations have taken place near the Japanese Embassy in Beijing and Japanese Cultural Centers and businesses in other Chinese cities.
Americans can obtain information on travel and security in China from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States or 1-202-501-4444 from outside the United States and Canada. Americans also can call the Embassy in Beijing at (86)(10) 6532-3431, the Consulate General in Shanghai at (86)(21) 3217-4650, the Consulate General in Shenyang at (86)(24) 2322-1198, the Consulate General in Chengdu at (86)(28) 8558-3992, and the Consulate General in Guangzhou at (86)(20) 8121-8000. American citizens should read the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for China and latest Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, both available at http://travel.state.gov.
WTO Update
The Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) comes to Hong Kong December 13-18 (the official web site is at http://www.wtomc6.gov.hk/eng/home/welcome.html). During that time we expect to be especially busy assisting Americans, and so encourage everyone to please take care of routine business with us ahead of time, and book appointments during the WTO period as early as possible.
Americans should be aware of the possibility of protests and demonstrations related to WTO, some of which may become violent. While the WTO sessions will take place in the Wanchai area of central Hong Kong, protests may also occur at more remote locations established to keep demonstrators at a distance from the site. While most of these demonstrations are not likely to be specifically targeted at Americans, the threat of being caught up accidentally in some incident is such that Americans are strongly advised to monitor local media and avoid large crowds and protests.
According to multiple reports, protestors will be allowed to stage demonstrations at the Wan Chai Sports Ground and the Wan Chai public cargo working area. Victoria Park in Causeway Bay has also been mentioned. Hotels near Pacific Place, and Tamar, where many delegates will stay, may also be the sites of protests and/or security zones. Traffic lanes between the hotels and the Wan Chai convention center WTO site will be congested, and may be the sites of protests and/or subject to security restrictions. Foreign Consulates, including the American Consulate, Chater Garden and Government House may also be the site of protests. At least one group has indicated it will protest in Kowloon as well.
Published reports state that the WTO is expected to draw 6000 delegates, 3000 NGO representatives, 2000 media and some 10,000 protesters.
The Hong Kong police have set up a special web site dealing with WTO issues at http://www.info.gov.hk/police/hkp-home/english/misc/mc6/index.htm
Dengue Fever in Malaysia
The U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur recently sent this message to Americans in Malaysia, which we are repeating below.
The U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is closely monitoring the current outbreak of Dengue fever. The Government of Malaysia announced a "high alert" for the outbreak of Dengue fever on September 29. Between January 1 and September 24, there were 27,569 reported dengue cases, with 70 reported fatalities. During the same period last year, 21,786 cases and 68 deaths were reported.
Dengue is carried by the Aedes Mosquito. Unlike the Malaria mosquito the Aedes does not travel far from its breeding area. It thrives and multiplies in stagnant water pools. There are no vaccines or medications for Dengue fever. Symptoms range a great deal from mild flu-like symptoms, with fever, headache, body aches and frequently a rash (Dengue Fever) in most cases, to sustained high fever and hemorrhaging (Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever) in some cases. Prevention is the best defense against Dengue fever. Because the number of Dengue cases has significantly exceeded expected levels, and due to the fact that we are just now entering the "rainy season", we recommend that you take measures to prevent the presence of the Aedes Mosquito around your house or building.
It is very important to do a "walk around" every one to two days and ensure that there are no areas with stagnant water. Examples of such areas include: plates under flowerpots, drainage trenches that are not draining for various reasons, and low areas in pavement or sidewalks. Experts debate the effectiveness of spraying to control Dengue. If you go outside, especially at dawn or dusk, when the mosquito is thought to be most active, use DEET or another effective insect repellant.
Contact Information for the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, Tel: (60-3) 2168-5000 (for after hours emergencies for American Citizens press "1" after the recording), Embassy website: http://malaysia.usembassy.gov, E-mail: klconsular@state.gov, Walk-in hours for American Citizen Services: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wed. 8:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. For a list of days when the embassy will be closed please visit http://malaysia.usembassy.gov/closeday.html
Online Appointment System for All American Citizens Services
Online appointments are required for all services provided by the American Citizens Services Unit at the U.S. Consulate General Hong. Book your appointment at http://www.hongkongacs.com.
If you need directions to our offices, try this online searchable map:
http://www.ypmap.com/en/viewer.asp?mapService=LocationMap
Search for us by street address at 26 Garden Road.
Need more passport pages?
If your full-validity U.S. passport has not expired yet, but has no blank pages left for say additional Chinese visas, we can add additional pages for you free of charge. Barring any unusual circumstances, we can usually add pages to your passport in about 45 minutes, while you wait. You need to make an appointment for this service, and special rules apply to children's passports. Learn more at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_supplement.html.
AWA Fall Charity Bazaar
The American Women's Association of Hong Kong will hold its fall charity bazaar at the Excelsior Hotel, 281 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, on October 27, 10am - 6pm. All proceeds benefit Hong Kong charities. For more information please contact AWA at 2527-2961. Check the AWA web site at http://awa.org.hk/ or http://awa.org.hk/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=43
Republicans Abroad Hong Kong Monthly Cocktail Reception
Republicans Abroad wrote to say on November 8, at 7pm at the Foreign Correspondents Club Mr. Christopher Exline will speak on emerging commerce in Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq. Chris Exline operates businesses in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya and is a very frequent traveler to these countries. To RSVP, or for more information, please contact YFNelson@yahoo.com.
Pronouncing World Leaders' Names
How do you pronounce President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's name? Or Lakshman Kadirgamar (assassinated Sri Lankan foreign minister), or Ahmed Qureia (Palestinian prime minister)? The names of thousands of world leaders, along with a phonetic pronunciation guide and online audio samples are available at http://names.voa.gov/. The guide is useful for students, businesspeople preparing speeches and travelers.
Current Travel Information
For the most current travel warnings, public announcements, and other travel information published by the Department of State, please go directly to http://travel.state.gov. To receive this information automatically, please register through the Internet-Based Registration System (IBRS) at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs.
You can read the most current Worldwide Caution at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html, issued August 2, 2005.
Upcoming Holidays and Other Closures
The Consulate will be closed on the following holidays in 2005.
| November 11, 2005 | | (Friday) | | Veterans Day |
| November 24, 2005 | | (Thursday) | | Thanksgiving Day |
| December 26, 2005 | | (Monday) | | Christmas Day observed |
| December 27, 2005 | | (Tuesday) | | Second Weekday after Christmas Day |
Last modified: October 19, 2005
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