This Travel Alert is being issued to update U.S. citizens to safety and security concerns in China �s Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) as well as the neighboring provinces of Yunnan, Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai . American citizens in Tibet, especially in Lhasa , are advised to avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place. American citizens should defer travel to Tibet at this time. This supersedes the Travel Alert for China dated March 15, 2008 and expires on April 21, 2008.

Washington, D.C. - infoZine - On March 14, violence erupted following peaceful demonstrations in the city of Lhasa . Scattered violence continues in Lhasa and protests, some of them resulting in violence, have been reported in parts of Sichuan, Gansu, Qinghai, and Yunnan provinces. Currently, there is a significant increased security presence in many Tibetan areas of China , including Tibetan communities outside of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR). Chinese authorities have restricted tourist and other travel to Tibet and other affected areas.

American consular personnel have not yet been granted access to the TAR or other affected areas, and therefore assistance to American citizens in those areas may be limited.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at 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 1-202-501-4444. 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 in Beijing can be reached 24 hours per day at 86-10-6532-3431. The addresses and telephone contact information for the U.S. Embassy and 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 travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp. In case of difficulties registering online, please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

U.S. Embassy Beijing : tel. 86-10-6532-3431
U.S. Consulate General Chengdu : tel. 86-28-8558-3992
U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou : tel. 86-20-8518-7605
U.S. Consulate General Shanghai: tel. 86-21-3217-4650
U.S. Consulate General Shenyang : tel. 86-24-2322-1198