LineKong Launches Their First Independently Developed Online Game -- 'Journey to the West'

BEIJING, Oct. 23 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --

LineKong Entertainment Technology Co., Ltd. ("LineKong" or the "Company"), a leading, third-generation enterprise in the Chinese online gaming industry, today officially launched their first independently developed game "Journey to the West." This is the first time that LineKong has demonstrated its own R&D strength since its establishment and this is currently the only online game based on the classic Chinese novel.

"Journey to the West" was developed as a 2D MMOARPG game by Neptune Studio, a subsidiary of LineKong. The game uses LineKong's self-developed game engine and is designed to truly reproduce the "Havoc in Heaven," "Thrice Defeats the Skeleton Demon," "Havoc in the Dragon King's palace" and other classic plot points from the story. At the same time the game will also stay true to the elements of the novel that people are familiar with in a realistic way so that players can truly experience the original "Journey to the West."

LineKong was created when it gained a US$10 million investment from IDGVC. In May, 2008, LineKong accepted a total of US$25 million additional joint investment from Northern Lights ventures and NEA. Relying on the support of the capital market and a professional management team, LineKong always adheres to the development line "Agent + R&D." When LineKong won the rights to "The Legend of Kungfu" and "Hero," they launched their "independent producer system" which helped them acquire many domestic first-class talents onto their team. At present, LineKong has already established several in-house game studios and the launch of "Journey to the West" is their first foray into the world of independent development. This is a landmark event for the entire third-generation Chinese gaming industry.

About LineKong

LineKong is a young interactive entertainment enterprise founded in March of 2007. The Company specializes in the development and operation of online games. LineKong has built a perfect R&D center, an operation and service center, and a marketing and sales network covering all of China. The company has many large online games such as "The Legend of Kung Fu," "Hero," "Journey to the West," "Warrior King" and "Super Adventurer" and its products can be categorized as turn-based games, ARPGs and casual games.

Contact:

Paris Liu

+86-10-6485-5888 x2202

liujia@LineKong.com

SOURCE LineKong Entertainment Technology Co., Ltd.

Mr. Wang Feng, the CEO of LineKong, said, "'Journey to the West' is the heavyweight masterpiece which has been in development since the establishment of LineKong. The game was developed by our domestic, first-class R&D team which is up to one hundred members. I believe that this realistic style game will break the current market status of themes on the westward journey. At the same time, it is a signal which declares that LineKong will enter into the phrase of mass production. And, for the third generation online game enterprise, it is also the foundation of our rapid rise."

LineKong was created when it gained a US$10 million investment from IDGVC. In May, 2008, LineKong accepted a total of US$25 million additional joint investment from Northern Lights ventures and NEA. Relying on the support of the capital market and a professional management team, LineKong always adheres to the development line "Agent + R&D." When LineKong won the rights to "The Legend of Kungfu" and "Hero," they launched their "independent producer system" which helped them acquire many domestic first-class talents onto their team. At present, LineKong has already established several in-house game studios and the launch of "Journey to the West" is their first foray into the world of independent development. This is a landmark event for the entire third-generation Chinese gaming industry.

About LineKong

LineKong is a young interactive entertainment enterprise founded in March of 2007. The Company specializes in the development and operation of online games. LineKong has built a perfect R&D center, an operation and service center, and a marketing and sales network covering all of China. The company has many large online games such as "The Legend of Kung Fu," "Hero," "Journey to the West," "Warrior King" and "Super Adventurer" and its products can be categorized as turn-based games, ARPGs and casual games.

As a young enterprise in the online Chinese game industry, the Company is devoted to building a world-leading brand for online Chinese games based on the domestic market and expectation of the international market in the future. Visit our website for more information: http://www.LineKong.com .

Products

All of the Company's products have been designed and developed with care, and a singular focus of providing players with an unparalleled online experience.

"THE LEGEND OF KUNGFU" ( http://yt.LineKong.com )

"The Legend of Kung-Fu" is the first turn-based kung-fu online game in China. The game originated from the kung-fu novels by Louis Cha and covers hundreds of classic characters in the novels. The specific features of founding factions and creating own feats of arms in the game provide the players interactive space for participating in the game design.

Honors:

1. "The Most Anticipated Online Game" awarded by China Game Industry Annual Conference 2007.

2. "The Most Popular Online Game" awarded by Jin Ling Awards in Oct. 2008.

"HERO" ( http://hero.LineKong.com )

"Hero" is the first realistic turn-based online game with historical themes in China. The game originated from the Chinese historical materials throughout thousands of years.

"JOURNEY TO THE WEST" ( http://xy.LineKong.com )

"Journey to the West" is the first online game independently developed by LineKong, and is also the first realistic online game on the theme of Journey to the West Within the world frame faithful to the original work.

"WARRIOR KING" ( http://yb.LineKong.com )

"Warrior King" is a large online game of magic, fantasy and war independently developed by LineKong. Adapted from the super-hit novel of the same name on http://www.qidian.com, it is a gorgeous work combining the oriental and occidental magic culture.

"Warrior King" was named "The Best Original Online Game" in Oct. 2008 by Jin Ling Award.

"SUPER ADVENTURER"

"Super Adventurer" is a casual online game independently developed by LineKong. The game is set with the era of The Great Discoveries of Geography as the background, and stages breaking and treasure hunting are the main contents. The game is simple but also stimulating with various elaborated traps and interesting vs. model battles, bringing the players unprecedented game experience.

SOURCE LineKong Entertainment Technology Co., Ltd.

http://www.linekong.com

While the rest of world focuses on the election of a young senator as president of the United States, here in the Himalayas all eyes are on a 28-year-old Western-educated hereditary monarch as he receives the Raven Crown.

The coronation of Jigme Khesar as Bhutan's first constitutional monarch, culminates a two-year transfer of royal power from his father, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who abdicated in late 2006.

Bhutan Foreign Secretary Yeshey Dorji says the formal crowning in the Land of the Thunder Dragon had to wait for an auspicious date set by astrologers. In the meantime, the new king assumed the duties of his father.

"You need to get some expertise and experience in functioning as a king. So, before the formal coronation, His Majesty already took over the role of the king and he has been functioning since then," said Dorji.

A business entrepreneur in the capital, Sonam Tobgay, gives Jigme Khesar preliminary high marks, explaining that Bhutanese will not praise a monarch merely because he was born to rule. "You're not born with leadership qualities. It's something that you mature and you build over a period of time," said Tobgay. "He's been matured, he's been cultured, groomed to take over this task. As far as we can see he's done a very good job over the last one year."

Not only did the Fourth King of the century-long Wangchuck Dynasty voluntarily step aside, but in a move perhaps unprecedented in history - coming as it did without internal or external pressure - the monarch commanded that a constitution be drafted and the country shift to a parliament-based democracy.

Bhutanese were initially shocked and then confused by the moves of their revered king, who had ruled peacefully for 34 years.

King Jigme Singye had broken with convention, previously. He developed the concept of Gross National Happiness, stressing emotional well-being over the traditional economic indicator of Gross National Product.

Communications Minister Nandalal Rai tells VOA News the Fourth King, over the past quarter century, wanted his traditionally isolated kingdom to become more integrated in the international community.

"Our Fourth King has been trying to train us and make us aware of the situation that has been happening in the world - that the government must be of the people and for the people. That is the democratic process. He did, in his wisdom, felt the people must be able to take care of themselves, not a particular person ruling like in the medieval ages," said Rai.

The transition has been stable, so far. Parliament elections were held, this year, with the winning party sweeping nearly every constituency, defying pollsters who predicted a close race in the contentious campaign.

The changes for the Buddhist nation of 635,000 people, wedged between giant neighbors China and India, have brought other outside influences, as well, not all of them positive.

Modern communications has been good for education and the fledgling business community, but it puts pressure on traditional culture.

Thimpu businessman Tobgay says Bhutanese understand there may be a price to pay for modernity.

"That is a risk that we have to take. All these things, the Western culture creeping in and the contamination of our indigenous culture, tradition, it's a possibility. With the introduction of TV, with the Internet and the cellular phone, these are things that we cannot avoid. If we avoid this we will become like the dinosaur. If you fail to evolve, you become extinct," said Tobgay.

With the coronation, Bhutan, the world's newest democracy, also becomes the nation with the youngest reigning monarch. But the Fifth King of the modern dynasty will not stay on the throne beyond early in the year 2045. That is not a prognostication of the astrologers but rather the mandate of the new constitution, under which the sovereign, at age 65, must retire.

PROFILE

OFFICIAL NAME:

Kingdom of Bhutan

Geography

Area: 46,500 sq. km.

Cities: Capital--Thimphu (pop. approx. 55,000) Other significant cities--Paro, Phoentsholing, Punakha, Bumthong.

Terrain: Mountainous, from the Himalayas to lower-lying foothills and some savannah.

Climate: Alpine to temperate to subtropical with monsoon season from June to September.

People

Nationality: Noun and adjective--Bhutanese.

Population: Approximately 672,425 (according to the 2005 census). Domestic and international estimates of the population vary greatly.

Annual population growth rate: 2.082% (2007 est.). Density--45 per sq. km.

Ethnic groups: Drukpa 50% (which is also inclusive of Sharchops), as well as ethnic Nepalese (Lhotsampas) 35%, and indigenous or migrant tribes 15%.

Religions: Lamaistic Buddhist 75% (state religion), Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%.

Languages: Dzongkha (official language), Bumthang-kha, English (medium of instruction), Sharchop-kha, Nepali.

Education: Years compulsory--11. Literacy--59.5% (Ministry of Education General Statistics 2007). Primary school net enrollment rate 82.1% (UNDP). Women's literacy--59.5% (2007).

Health: Infant mortality rate (2007 est.)--total: 96.37 deaths/1,000 live births; male: 94.09 deaths/1,000 live births; female: 98.77 deaths/1,000 live births. Life expectancy --total population 67 years; male 69.1 years; female 59.5 years (Ministry of Education General Statistics 2007).

Work force (2005): Agriculture--94%; industry--1%; services--5%. The unemployment rate is 3.1% (2005 est.).

Government

Type: Constitutional monarchy.

Constitution: The Royal Government, prompted by the King, initiated a draft constitution in 2003, which was published in 2005. On July 18, 2008, the parliament formally adopted the constitution, marking the final step in Bhutan's historic transition from absolute monarchy to parliamentary democracy.

Branches: Executive--prime minister, cabinet. Legislative--parliament (National Council and National Assembly). The king appoints five members of the National Council and the remaining members are elected. Elections for the National Council (upper house) took place in December 2007. The 47-member National Assembly (lower house) was elected in March 2008. Judicial--High Court (Thrimkhang Gogma), District Courts, and local area arbitration.

National Day: December 17 (1907).

Administrative subdivisions (dzongkhags): 20.

Political parties: Two. Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) and People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Suffrage: Registered resident with legitimate citizenship, age 18 and above.

Economy

GDP (purchasing power parity 2007 est.): U.S. $3.359 billion.

Real growth rate (2007): 8.5%.

Per capita GDP PPP (2007 est.): U.S. $5,200.

Natural resources: hydroelectricity, timber, limestone, clay, and slate.

Sectors as percent of GDP (all figures, 2006-2007): Agriculture--22.3%; industry--37.9%; services--39.8%.

Trade: Principal exports (2006-2007)--electricity 26.5%, recorded media 16.8%, palm oil 7.4%, copper wire 6.2%. Principal imports (2006-2007)--diesel fuel 7.9%, copper wires 7.3%, crude palm oil 5.5%, petrol 3.1%. Major trade partners--India, Hong Kong, Japan, Germany, Singapore, and Thailand.

PEOPLE

The people of Bhutan can be divided into three broad ethnic categories--Ngalops, Sharchops, and Lhotsampas. The Ngalops make up the majority of the population, living mostly in the western and central areas. The Ngalops are thought to be of Tibetan origin, arriving in Bhutan during the 8th and 9th centuries A.D. and bringing Buddhism with them. Most Ngalops follow the Drukpa Kagyupa discipline of Mahayana Buddhism. In a country that is deeply rooted within the Buddhist religion, many people's sect of religion, as opposed to their ethnic group, characterizes them. The Ngalops predominate in the government, and the civil service and their cultural norms have been declared by the monarchy to be the standard for all citizens.

The Sharchops, who live in the eastern section of Bhutan, are considered to be descendants of the earliest major group to inhabit Bhutan. Most follow the Ningmapa discipline of Mahayana Buddhism. Sharchop is translated as "people of the east." The Ngalops, Sharchops, and the indigenous tribal people are collectively known as Drukpas and account for about 65% of the population. The national language is Dzongkha, but English is the language of instruction in schools and an official working language for the government.

The Lhotsampas are people of Nepali descent, currently making up 35% of the population. They came to Bhutan in the 19th and 20th centuries, mostly settling in the southern foothills to work as farmers. They speak a variety of Nepali dialects and are predominantly Hindu.

HISTORY

Bhutan's early history is steeped in mythology and remains obscure. It may have been inhabited as early as 2000 B.C., but not much was known until the introduction of Tibetan Buddhism in the 9th century A.D. when turmoil in Tibet forced many monks to flee to Bhutan. In the 12th century A.D., the Drukpa Kagyupa school was established and remains the dominant form of Buddhism in Bhutan today. The country's political history is intimately tied to its religious history and the relations among the various monastic schools and monasteries.

The consolidation of Bhutan occurred in 1616 when Ngawana Namgyal, a lama from Tibet, defeated three Tibetan invasions, subjugated rival religious schools, codified an intricate and comprehensive system of law, and established himself as ruler (shabdrung) over a system of ecclesiastical and civil administrators. After his death, infighting and civil war eroded the power of the shabdrung for the next 200 years when in 1885, Ugyen Wangchuck was able to consolidate power and cultivated closer ties with the British in India.

In 1907, Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as the hereditary ruler of Bhutan, crowned on December 17, 1907, and installed as the head of state Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King). In 1910, King Ugyen and the British signed the Treaty of Punakha which provided that British India would not interfere in the internal affairs of Bhutan if the country accepted external advice in its external relations. When Ugyen Wangchuck died in 1926, his son Jigme Wangchuck became the next ruler, and when India gained independence in 1947, the new Indian Government recognized Bhutan as an independent country. In 1949, India and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which provided that India would not interfere in Bhutan's internal affairs but would be guided by India in its foreign policy. Succeeded in 1952 by his son Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, Bhutan began to slowly emerge from its isolation and began a program of planned development. Bhutan became a member of the United Nations in 1971, and during his tenure the National Assembly was established and a new code of law, as well as the Royal Bhutanese Army and the High Court.

In 1972, Jigme Singye Wangchuck ascended the throne at age 16. He emphasized modern education, decentralization of governance, the development of hydroelectricity and tourism and improvements in rural developments. He was perhaps best known internationally for his overarching development philosophy of "Gross National Happiness." It recognizes that there are many dimensions to development and that economic goals alone are not sufficient. Satisfied with Bhutan's transitioning democratization process, he abdicated in December 2006 rather than wait until the promulgation of the new constitution in 2008. His son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, became King upon his abdication.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS

Traditionally a decentralized theocracy and, since 1907, a monarchy, Bhutan completed its successful transition to a constitutional monarchy in 2008. Bhutanese officials began preparations for the first-ever elections in 2006, shortly before King Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated in December 2006. The National Council of the new bicameral parliament was elected in December 2007, and National Assembly elections followed in March 2008. The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) won 44 out of 47 seats in the latter election in which 80% of the 320,000 registered voters cast a ballot.

Migration by Nepalis into southern Bhutan began in the early 19th century. Currently these and other ethnic Nepalis, referred to as Lhotsampas, comprise 35% of Bhutan's population. In 1988, the government census led to the branding of many ethnic Nepalis as illegal immigrants. Local Lhotshampa leaders responded with anti-government rallies demanding citizenship and attacks against government institutions. Between 1998-1993, thousands of ethnic Nepalis fled to refugee camps in Nepal alleging ethnic and political repression. Currently, 107,000 refugees reside in seven camps. Bhutan and Nepal have been working for over seven years to resolve the refugee problem and repatriate certain refugees living in Nepal. The resettlement of Bhutanese refugees from the camps in Nepal to the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand is proceeding. The transition to democracy may improve the situation: of its 47 candidates, the DPT fielded nine Nepali-speakers. Officials from both the DPT and PDP have said that resolving the grievances of ethnic Nepalis is a priority.

The spiritual head of Bhutan, the Je Khempo--the only person besides the king who wears the saffron scarf, an honor denoting his authority over all religious institutions--is nominated by monastic leaders and appointed by the king. The Monk Body is involved in advising the government on many levels.

Bhutan is divided into 20 districts or dzongkhags, each headed by a district officer (dzongda) who must be elected. Larger dzongkhags are further divided into subdistricts called dungkhags. A group of villages are grouped to form a constituency called gewog, administered by a locally elected leader entitled a gup. There are 201 elected gups. In 2002, the National Assembly created a new structure for local governance at the geog level. Each local area is responsible for creating and implementing its own development plan, in coordination with the district.

Principal Government Officials

Head of State--King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

Prime Minister--Jigme Y. Thinley

Minister of Foreign Affairs--Ugyen Tshering

Minister for Economic Affairs--Khandu Wangchuk

Minister for Trade and Industry--Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba

Minister for Home and Cultural Affairs--Minjur Dorji

Minister for Finance--Wangdi Norbu

Minister for Education--Thakur Singh Powdyel

Minister for Health--Zangley Dukpa

Minister for Labor and Human Resources--Dorji Wangdi

Minister for Works and Human Settlements--Yeshey Zimba

Minister for Information and Communications--Nandalal Rai

Minister for Agriculture--Pema Gyamtsho

Ambassador to the United Nations Headquarters--Lyonpo Daw Penjo

The United States and the Kingdom of Bhutan have not established formal diplomatic relations; however, the two governments have warm informal relations.

Bhutan maintains a Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. The address is 763 First Avenue, New York, NY 10017; tel: 212-682-2268, fax: 212-661-0551.

ECONOMY

The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on hydroelectricity, tourism, agriculture, and forestry. Rugged terrain makes it difficult to develop roads and other infrastructure. Despite this constraint, hydroelectricity and construction continue to be the two major industries of growth for the country. The Tala hydroelectric project, completed March 2007, has bolstered government revenue and exports, and will continue to do so for the next several years. Additionally, India has committed to funding three more hydroelectric projects and other industrial development. As these two economic sectors contribute to increased productivity, Bhutan's development prospects are positive.

The Bhutanese Government expects the tourism sector to expand as well; however, restrictions on visitor numbers and minimum per-day spending requirements will impede rapid growth.

Bhutan's tenth five-year plan (2008-2013) focuses on ways to manage the country's new-found wealth with special emphasis on three development areas: rural, regional, and private-sector. India has pledged to support the plan and promised to double the amount of aid given to Bhutan in the previous five-year plan. The parliament has not yet finalized the tenth five-year plan; it intends to do so during the next session later in 2008.

Bhutan's economy has been on an upturn due to recent subregional economic cooperation efforts. Already this plan has strengthened the current trade relations with India, as well as opened an avenue of trade with Bangladesh. In May 2003, the Bilateral Free Trade Agreement between Bangladesh and Bhutan was re-signed. Bangladesh is Bhutan's second largest trade partner, after India. In January 2004, as a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Bhutan also joined the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). In February 2004 Bhutan joined the Bangladesh, Indian, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand Economic Cooperation Forum (BIMSTEC). Bhutan has applied for membership in the World Trade Organization and is in the process of developing clear legal and regulatory systems designed to promote business development

FOREIGN RELATIONS

India

India is Bhutan's largest trade and development partner, providing significant amounts of foreign aid and investment. Traditionally, the 1949 Treaty of Peace and Friendship governed relations between the countries. In February 2007, India and Bhutan signed a new treaty removing the clause that India will "guide" Bhutan's foreign policy and allowing Bhutan to purchase military equipment from other countries. However, bilateral ties remain close, demonstrated by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's May 2008 visit to Thimpu during which he addressed the newly elected parliament. Prime Minister Jigme Thinley returned the gesture when he made his first official trip abroad as prime minister to New Delhi in July 2008.

In recent years, insurgents on the Indian side of the border from the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and the Bodos have used Bhutan as a safe haven. In December 2003, Bhutan military troops expelled Indian insurgents from Assam. Through this joint effort with India, Bhutan strengthened border security and continued cooperation with the Indian military.

China

Bhutan and China do not have diplomatic relations, although they have engaged in 17 rounds of high-level talks regarding a border dispute over three Chinese-built roads which the Bhutanese Government alleges encroach on its territory. Although the current official trade between the countries is minimal, the Chinese Government announced that trade had increased by 3,000% from 2006 to 2007.

Nepal

Bhutan and Nepalestablished diplomatic relations in 1983 and are still negotiating a solution to a protracted refugee situation, in which 107,000 refugees reside in seven UNHCR camps in Nepal. Most of the refugees claim Bhutanese citizenship, while Bhutan alleges that they are non-nationals or "voluntary emigrants," who forfeited their citizenship rights. In 2003, a joint Bhutan-Nepal verification team categorized refugees from one camp into four groups, but progress remains stalled. Out of these refugee camps have arisen several insurgent groups, such as the Bhutan Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist-Maoist), the Bhutan Tiger Force, and the United Revolutionary Front of Bhutan. Bhutanese security forces blame these groups for a series of bombings targeting the country in the lead-up to the 2008 parliamentary elections.

United Nations

Bhutan became a member of the United Nations in 1971. Bhutan does not have diplomatic relations with any of the permanent members of the UN Security Council. Bhutan was elected to the UN Commission on Human Rights in 2003 and served until 2006.

Other Countries

Bhutan enjoys diplomatic relations with seven European nations, which form The "Friends of Bhutan" group, together with Japan. These countries are Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Finland, and Austria. Also known as donor nations, they contribute generously to Bhutanese development and social programs. Bhutan also has diplomatic relations with South Korea, Canada, Australia, Kuwait, Thailand, Bahrain, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

DEFENSE

Bhutan has 8,000 members in five military branches: the Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bodyguard, National Militia, Royal Bhutan Police, and Forest Guards. In FY 2002, the Bhutanese Government spent 1.9% of its GDP on the military or U.S. $9.3 million. India maintains a permanent military training presence in Bhutan through IMTRAT, the Indian Military Training Team.

U.S.-BHUTAN RELATIONS

The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, has consular responsibilities for Bhutan, but U.S. citizens also may request assistance from U.S. Embassies in Kathmandu, Nepal, or Dhaka, Bangladesh. The United States and Bhutan do not have diplomatic relations, and the United States does not give foreign assistance to Bhutan. Informal contact is maintained through the U.S. Embassy and the Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi. Bhutan does participate in a regional program for South Asia sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) that helps countries develop their power infrastructure (SARI-E). A few Bhutanese military officers have attended courses at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. The U.S. Government annually brings several Bhutanese participants to United States through its International Visitors Program.

Principal U.S. Officials (U.S. Embassy, India)

Ambassador--David C. Mulford

Deputy Chief of Mission--Steven White

Public Affairs--Larry Schwartz

Political Affairs--Ted Osius

Economic Affairs--John Davison

Scientific Affairs--Satish V. Kulkarni

Commercial Affairs--Carmine D'Aloisio

Agricultural Affairs--Holly Higgins

Management Affairs--Gerri O'Brien

Consular Affairs--Peter Kaestner

USAID Mission, Director--George Deikun

TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION

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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://www.travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found. Consular Affairs Publications, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a safe trip abroad, are also available at http://www.travel.state.gov. For additional information on international travel, see http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Travel/International.shtml.

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