US Warns Americans Of Terror Attacks In Beijing
US, Britain and France have cautioned their citizens in Beijing to maintain heightened vigilance citing threats of terror attacks against westerners.
CNN reported that the countries' embassies have warned of attacks in embassy district targeting foreigners during Christmas shopping.
"The U.S. Embassy has received information of possible threats against Westerners in the Sanlitun area of Beijing, on or around Christmas Day. U.S. citizens are urged to exercise heightened vigilance. The U.S. Embassy has issued the same guidance to U.S. government personnel," the US embassy reportedly mailed its citizens living in Beijing, according to The Washington Post.
LA Times reported heavily armed guns standing guard in Sanlitun and Wangfujing Street. The two areas are known for shopping and fashion outlets. Chinese authorities have issued a low level yellow-alert for the Christmas weekend citing increased presence of shoppers and diners. It is not known if the alerts issued by embassies were related to actions of Beijing police.
While attacks against foreigners are said to be rare in China, various reports recounted the death of a Chinese woman in August after being stabbed by a Chinese man. The woman was with her French husband in Sanlitun when the attack took place. Security experts and the police believe the attack could be attributed to anti-American sentiments.
