Taipei Demonstration, February 22, 2012

AIT has been notified by Taiwan Police Authorities that a demonstration has been planned at the AIT/Hsinyi Road location from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012. Organizers claim that as many as 60 people may attend the protest. The protesters plan to stage the demonstration in front of the insurance building sidewalk adjacent to the AIT Consular Section. Local uniformed police will be present to provide security coverage but all persons planning to be in the area of AIT at the time of the demonstration are urged to avoid the protest area and exercise due caution.

Demonstrations take place in Taiwan from time to time in response to world or events.  We remind American citizens that even peaceful demonstrations can become confrontational.  American citizens are urged to exercise caution within the vicinity of the demonstration and if possible, to avoid the area completely.  American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website http://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 an American 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 an American 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.