*******************************************************
An HKSAR government spokesman today (July 13) again reminded Hong Kong residents who were planning to travel to Urumqi, Xinjiang, to monitor the situation there, and those who were already there to attend to their personal safety and avoid places with demonstrations or large gatherings of people.
The Security Bureau and the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Beijing will continue to closely monitor the situation in Urumqi.
According to the travel trade, Hong Kong tour agents have cancelled or postponed some tours to the area. Tour groups already there have all adjusted their itineraries to avoid the affected places. Travel agents will continue to remind their guides to take care in arranging activities for their tour members.
Residents who need assistance while outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department at (852)-1868.
Ends/Monday, July 13, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:05
NNNN
