Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Awesome Job Telling Me About Those Stabbings!

So it looks like the Chinese have taken a page from Japan's best selling novel, How to Stab People, and gone off on a little knife-wielding rampage of their own in Tiananmen Square. I got an email yesterday from the US State Department informing me about two stabbing incidents that occurred at Tiananmen Square, with the first attack occurring on September 17th, and the most recent on the 19th. Several people were injured and a few died. My question is, why the hell did I only get this warning several days after the attack? What was the US Embassy so busy with that they couldn't spend 15 minutes writing up a warning to American citizens that a fatal stabbing occurred against a tourist in the center of Beijing's biggest tourist attraction?!?

What if I was a tourist whose flight arrived on the 17th and I happened to mosey over to Tiananmen on the 19th? Don't you think I would have appreciated a warning from the government? Cause I still haven't heard anything about this incident in the US news and doubt very much that people would have been aware of the incident heading over to China. Now I know that a warning probably wouldn't have prevented most people from visiting Tiananmen, but at the very least it would have kept peoples wits and guard up. It'd also make people feel a lot more secure knowing that the US was actively watching out for them while overseas. So I guess the general gist of this post is that the State Department really should get its act together and get important information like this out to US citizens in a faster and more effective manner.

Anyways, for those you not on the State Department's email-listing who are interested in reading the warning that was sent out, I'm posting it below. Enjoy!


This Warden Message is to inform Americans of reports of two stabbing incidents near Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. According to the Associated Press, a French tourist was slightly injured in a September 19 knife attack on Dashilan near Tiananmen Square, an area frequented by tourists. Two days earlier, two security guards were killed and 14 people wounded in a separate knife attack in the same area. The police have indicated that the attackers chose their victims randomly. Their motivations are unknown.

While China?s violent crime rate remains low, these recent incidents give American citizens extra reasons to exercise vigilance and care. When in Beijing or other cities in China, Americans are advised to employ the same precautionary measures they would in any large city: when possible, do not travel alone; pay attention to your surroundings, especially when traveling in unfamiliar areas; avoid large demonstrations or protests; carry only as much cash as is absolutely necessary, and store the currency in multiple locations on your person. 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.

The Chinese police and emergency services hotline can be reached by dialing 110, though few, if any, English-speaking operators may be available. Keep this number and the American Citizen Services emergency contact information found below with you in case of emergency.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department?s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site 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.

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