|
[ Home ] [ About Us ] [ President's Corner ] [ Endorsment-Support ] [ Founding Members ] [ Management Team ] [ Collaboration Ptrs ] [ Members' Page ] [ Members' News ] [ Membership Info ] [ New Members ] [ Events Listing ] [ Speakers' Notes ] [ Trade Issues ] [ Technology ] [ Resource Center ] [ HK & China Biz ] [ Photo Album ] [ News Releases ] [ Reading Room ] [ Business Links ] [ Acknowledgement ] [ Alerts ] [ Job Opportunities ] [ Contact Us ] [ Site Map ]
Newsletter
Seminar Material
Biz:
China
Hong
Kong Hawaii
What people
said about us
China
Earthquake Relief
Tax &
Government
Hawaii Voter Registration
Biz-Video
Hawaii's
China Connection
CDP#1780962
Doing Business in
Hong Kong & China
| |
Alerts
Share
 Health and Travel Alert
June 09, 2010
 The U.S. Department of State
announces changes to the U.S. nonimmigrant visa application fee
Non-diplomatic and non-official visas issued by United States consular officers
abroad require a visa application fee which covers the costs associated with
manufacturing, processing, and printing visas.
Effective June 4, 2010, the current U.S. nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application fee
of US$131 will increase. All applicants applying for NIVs in China must pay the
non-refundable application fee at designated branches of China CITIC Bank. Both
copies of the CITIC Bank fee receipt must be included with your visa
application. The application fee is non-refundable regardless of whether your
visa is issued. Applicants who have paid the application fee but fail to submit
applications within one year will not have their application fee refunded.
As of June 4, 2010, nonimmigrant visa application fees will change to the
following:
NIV application processing fees will increase on June 4, 2010 and will be tiered
as shown below. There will no longer be one single visa application fee for all
nonimmigrant categories.
Description and amounts:
Non-petition-based visas, such as the B1/B2 (tourism, business), F1 (student) or
J1 (exchange visitor) are now US$140 (RMB 966)
Petition-based visas, such as the H (work), L (intra-company transferee), O
(extraordinary ability), P (performer), Q (cultural exchange), or R (religious
worker) are now US$150 (RMB 1035)
K (fiancé/fiancée visas) are now US$350 (RMB 2415)
Important note: The correct fee receipt for the full and appropriate amount for
the visa type being applied for must be presented on the day of application.
Beginning on June 4, applicants who have already purchased fee receipts for the
previous fee amount (US$131) must provide a receipt from CITIC Bank for the
difference between the old and new fees to show that the full amount is paid. As
of Monday, May 31, new fee receipts for the full amount or, if applicable, for
the difference between new and old amounts, can be purchased at any CITIC Bank
branch. Your application cannot be processed without the correct fee receipt.
For complete information regarding the new fee schedule, please visit:
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_1341.html
美国驻外领事部门签发的非外交和非公务签证要求申请人交纳申请费以涵盖制作、审理和印刷签证的成本。
目前的非移民签证申请费用131美元将于6月4日上调。所有申请人必须在指定的中信银行交纳签证申请费。此费用不予退款。中信银行开具的两联收据须和其它申请材料一起递交。提请注意：无论签证是否颁发，签证申请费用都不予退款。已经交纳了申请费用，但在一年之内没有递交申请的人也不能办理退款。
自2010年6月4日起，非移民签证费将上调：
非移民签证申请费将于2010年6月4日起呈阶梯式上调（一费适用于所有类型的非移民签证种类不复存在了）。其详情如下：
种类及费用：
无须从美国开始申请的签证种类，如B1/B2（旅游、商务），F1（学生）或J1（交流访问人员）：
140美元 （人民币966元）；
须从美国首先申请的签证如H（工作）、L（公司内调遣）、O（特殊才能）、P（演艺人员）、Q（文化交流）及R（宗教工作者）：
150美元 （人民币1035元）；
K（配偶签证）：
350美元 （人民币2415元）。
重要提示：申请人必须在申请签证当天呈交支付了所申请签证类型要求的正确的、足额的费用收据。从6月4日起，已购买了原来131美元费用收据的申请人必须提供中信银行开具的差额补交收据，以示付清了全额费用。截至月31日，中信银行可开具新费及新旧费用差额收据。没有提供正确数额费用收据的的申请，我们无法审理。
如了解完整的有关新费用的信息，请登陆网站：http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_1341.html
January 22 2010
Hawaii Unemployment Insurance Tax 2010
Hong Kong.China.Hawaii Chamber of Commerce (HKCHcc) is working
collaborative with the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii through the legislative
process to lessen the impact of the substantial increase of the unemployment
tax.
Critical hearing is scheduled for
Wednesday, January 26 2010 9:00am
http://www.hkhcc.org/hawaiiunemploymentinsurancetax2010.htm
January 3 2010
US toughens air travel screening rules
Air travelers from Nigeria, Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and nine
other countries will face full-body pat downs before boarding airliners under
new security screening procedures targeting foreign passengers announced by the
United States on Sunday.
The procedures, which go into effect on Monday, follow the botched Christmas Day
bombing attempt on a Detroit-bound US airliner blamed on a Nigerian man who US
officials believe was trained by al-Qaeda in Yemen.
Passengers traveling from or through nations listed as “state sponsors of
terrorism” – Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria – as well as Afghanistan, Algeria,
Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Yemen will
face heightened screening, an Obama administration official said.
Nearly all of those are Muslim countries.
Such passengers will be patted down, have their carry-on luggage searched and
could undergo advanced explosive detection or imaging scans, according to the
official, who spoke on condition on anonymity.
The Transportation Security Administration, the US agency responsible for air
security measures, announced the “enhanced screening” procedures, adding that
any passengers on US-bound flights could be subjected to random security
searches.
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a 23-year-old Nigerian, was arrested by US
authorities after being accused of carrying a bomb sewn into his underwear onto
a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit on December 25. He got
through security screening in Amsterdam, and was subdued by passengers and crew
after trying to blow up the plane.
US President Barack Obama said on Friday it appeared Abdulmutallab was a member
of al-Qaeda and had been trained and equipped by the Islamic militant network in
Yemen.
The announcement of the new security steps comes amid rising criticism by US
Republicans and others that American diplomatic and intelligence officials
failed to prevent the Dec. 25 incident despite having evidence about
Abdulmutallab.
US intelligence officials have said they believe that al-Qaeda leaders are
hiding out in Pakistan after being chased from Afghanistan during the war that
began in 2001 in the weeks after the group’s Sept. 11 attacks on the United
States. Most of the men who carried out the September 11 hijackings of US
airliners were Saudi-born.
Yemen also is emerging as a major area of al-Qaeda activity, according to
security experts.
The new rules apply to anyone with a passport from any of the 14 countries, and
anyone stopping in those countries, the administration official said.
The Transportation Security Administration said it issued security directives to
all US and international airlines with inbound flights to the United States that
would include random screening of passengers. This random screening policy
applies to any airport in the world for flights coming to the United States, the
official said.
“Because effective aviation security must begin beyond our borders, and as a
result of extraordinary cooperation from our global aviation partners, TSA is
mandating that every individual flying into the US from anywhere in the world
traveling from or through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism or other
countries of interest will be required to go through enhanced screening,” the
agency said in the statement.
“The directive also increases the use of enhanced screening technologies and
mandates threat-based and random screening for passengers on US-bound
international flights,” it added.
All passengers are screened electronically for weapons and bombs regardless, and
the new rules that include random enhancements appear more agreeable to
airlines, which chaffed at broad requirements imposed after the December 25
incident.
Carriers complained about widespread delays and other passenger inconveniences,
especially in Canada and Europe.
However, airlines will not be able to assess the full impact of the new regime
on their operations for a few days.
Last week, airlines told Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano that the
system could not manage efficiently under a 100 per cent pat-down mandate over
the long term. Any changes to that routine would be welcome.
“Our goal remains to improve security and reduce the hassle factor for
passengers,” the International Air Transport Association, the lead trade group
for international airlines, said in a statement.
There were 25 million visitors to the United States in 2008 from Europe and
Asia, according to IATA figures.
Carriers with transatlantic and transpacific flying include Delta Air Lines;
Continental Airlines; American Airlines, a unit of AMR Corporation; United
Airlines, a unit of UAL; British Airways; Air France/KLM; Germany’s Lufthansa;
and Japan Airlines.
September 21 2009
IRS extends amnesty program for tax cheats
The IRS is extending the Wednesday deadline for international tax dodgers to
apply for an amnesty program in order to give a rush of applicants more time to
prepare their paperwork.
More than 3,000 Americans hiding assets overseas have applied for the program,
which promises no jail time and reduced penalties for tax cheats who come
forward, said a government official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The Internal Revenue Service plans to announce later on Monday that the program
will be extended until October 15, said the official, who was not authorized to
speak on the record ahead of the public announcement.
The IRS long has had a policy that certain tax evaders who come forward before
they are contacted by the agency usually can avoid jail time as long as they
agree to pay back taxes, interest and hefty penalties. Drug dealers and money
launderers need not apply. But if the money was earned legally, tax evaders can
usually avoid criminal prosecution.
Fewer than 100 people apply for the program in a typical year, in part because
the penalties can far exceed the value of the hidden account, depending on how
long the account holder has evaded US taxes.
But in March, the IRS began a six-month amnesty program that sweetened the offer
with reduced penalties for people with undeclared assets.
As the initial deadline approached, the IRS was contacted by tax advisers from
across the country requesting more time to prepare applications from a rush of
tax cheats looking to come clean, the government official said.
The amnesty program is part of a larger effort by federal authorities to crack
down on international tax evaders. In August, the US and Switzerland resolved a
court case in which Swiss banking giant UBS AG agreed to turn over details on
4,450 accounts suspected of holding undeclared assets from American customers.
The process of turning over that information is expected to take several months.
But once the IRS obtains information about international tax dodgers, they will
be ineligible for the amnesty program.
Publicity from the UBS case, even before the agreement was announced, had many
wealthy Americans with offshore accounts nervously running to their tax
advisers.
Lawyers and advisers from several firms have said they were swamped with calls
from people hiding assets overseas. Their advice: Call the IRS before the IRS
calls you.
On the Net: www.IRS.gov
September 17 2009
DO NOT BREAK US TAX LAW - IRS Enforces
Foreign Bank Account Reporting
Ms. Chinchie Killfoil, US, Internal Revenue Service Tax Attaché, US Embassy,
Beijing, China, addressing the requirements and penalties of the Foreign Bank
Account Reporting (FBAR) and the IRS Voluntary Disclosure Program.
* If you own or have authority over a foreign financial account, including a
bank account, brokerage account, mutual fund, unit trust, or other types of
financial accounts, then you may be required to report the account yearly to the
Internal Revenue Service.
* Account holders who do not comply with the FBAR reporting requirements may be
subject to civil penalties, criminal penalties, or both.
The IRS is cracking down on the filing of the Report of Foreign Bank and
Financial Accounts.
TR-90-22.1, can be downloaded here:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f90221.pdf
Please make sure you are in compliance to avoid prosecution.
Filing deadline is SEPTEMBER 23, 2009.
June 11, 2009
Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response
Daily virtual press
briefings - Audio files and transcripts from the briefings
Watch World
Health Organization June 12 2009 Video Online
The WHO chief declared here Thursday that
the organization has decided to move its A/H1N1 flu alert level to phase six and
the widely spreading flu has developed into a full pandemic. Margaret Chan
told a news conference that the full pandemic in 41 years was assessed as a
"moderate" one. "On the basis of available evidence, the scientific criteria for
an influenza pandemic has been met. I have therefore decided to raise the level
of pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6, the world is now at the start of the
pandemic," she said. The WHO do not suggest closing borders and urge countries
do not pose restrictions on movement of people, goods and services, she said.
The chief said that more flu deaths are expected, but no sudden jump in the
death toll. She also urged to stop production of seasonal flu vaccine and turn
to A/H1N1 flu vaccine production. The decision was made following consultations
with world experts through a teleconference. A WHO statement has been sent to
the WHO's members. The declaration is expected amid concerns that the A/H1N1 flu
virus, which originated from Mexico two months ago, has widely spread to Asia,
Europe, and the Americas. The WHO has raised the alert level to five at the end
of April, the penultimate level in its six grades, indicating a pandemic was
"imminent." And many experts have been expecting the upgrade of the flu due to
its fast-spreading nature. However, experts explained that the highest level by
no means indicates the greatest severity of the disease, but simply indicates
the geographical spread of this flu. This is the first global flu epidemic in 41
years. As of Wednesday, 74 countries have officially reported 27,737 A/H1N1
infection cases to the WHO, including 141 deaths.
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/cis_pa_tw/flu/flu_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 ¡§integrated tax rate¡¨ 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)
|
