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From: 76702.1202@compuserve.COM (Wally Doerge)
Subject: ALL:  NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Hong Kong
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Date: Thu, 4 Aug 1994 17:20:02 GMT
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STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Hong Kong
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Hong Kong - Consular Information Sheet
 August 4, 1994

Country Description:  Hong Kong, a British Crown Colony, is made up 
of three geographic areas:  The New Territories, Kowloon Peninsula, 
and Hong Kong Island.  It is a cosmopolitan, highly developed 
territory.  It will revert to China on July 1, 1997.  Tourist 
facilities and services are widely available.

Entry Requirements:  Passports and onward/return transportation by 
sea/air are required.  A visa is not required for tourist visits of 
up to 30 days; the period of time may be extended.  A departure tax 
of  $6.50 (U.S.) must be paid at the airport.  Visas are required to 
work or study.   For more current information, the traveler can 
consult the British Embassy at 3100 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20008, (202)462-1340, or British Consulates in Los 
Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, New York or Cleveland.

Medical Facilities:  Good medical facilities are available and 
there are many Western-trained physicians.  Information on health 
matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's 
international travelers hotline, telephone (404) 332-4559.  Doctors 
and hospitals generally do not accept credit cards and require 
immediate cash payment for health services.  U.S. medical insurance 
is generally not valid outside the United States.  Supplemental 
medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proven useful.

Information on Crime:  Major crime is not a problem for most 
travelers.  Petty crime such as pickpocketing is common.  The loss 
or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to 
the local police and to the U.S. Consulate General.  Useful 
information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security 
while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State 
pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad."  It is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties: Travelers are subject to the laws and legal 
practices of the country in which they travel.  Penalties for 
possession, use, and trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and 
convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines.

Quarantine for Pets: Dogs and cats may be admitted without spending 
time in quarantine, if there are valid health (vaccination) 
certificates, and if the pet, when coming from the United States, 
has been in the United States for at least six months.

Registration:  Americans who register at the U.S. Consulate General 
can obtain updated information on travel and security conditions 
within the area.

Embassy Location:  The American Consulate General is located at 26 
Garden Road in Hong Kong.  The mailing address is: Box 30, FPO AP 
96522-0002; tel (852) 523-9011, fax (852) 845-4845.

No. 94-150

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated July 9, 1993 to 
include information on the departure tax and quarantine of cats and 
dogs.