Warden Message: American Institute in Taiwan to Move Demonstration Notices to Website

Consular Affairs Bulletins Report

The American Institute in Taiwan issued the following Warden Message on November 3:

The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) American Citizen Services Section will begin posting notices regarding demonstrations in Taiwan on its website, whenever we receive reliable information.  In most cases, AIT will not send out a warden message when it has information on a planned demonstration. Demonstration notices will be posted at the following link:  http://www.ait.org.tw/en/uscitizens/news/

U.S. citizens should note that AIT may not receive notice of every planned demonstration, and some demonstrations may occur spontaneously.  Demonstrations take place in Taiwan from time to time in response to world events or local developments.  We remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.  U.S. citizens should avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.  U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website www.travel.state.gov , where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found.  AIT also encourages U.S. citizens to review to "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html , which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad.  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. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

AIT encourages you, as a U.S. citizen living or traveling in Taiwan, to register through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/  Registration is a voluntary way of telling us that you, as a U.S. citizen, are in Taiwan, whether for a long-term stay or for a short visit.  In the event of an emergency, we use registration information to communicate with you.  This could include a family emergency in which relatives in the United States request that AIT contact you.

The Consular Section of AIT’s Taipei and Kaohsiung Offices can be reached during regular business hours (M-F, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) by telephone at (02) 2162-2000 and (07) 238-7744; by fax at (02) 2162-2239 and (07) 238-5237; and by e-mail at amcit-ait-t@state.gov. After hours, in case of emergency, a duty officer can be reached by calling the AIT switchboard at (02) 2162-2000.  The AIT Taipei office is located at No.7, Lane 134, Sec. 3, XinYi Rd., Da-an District, Taipei City 10659.  The address for AIT Kaohsiung is: 5th Floor, No.2, ChungCheng 3rd Rd., Xin-Xing District, Kaohsiung City 80052.