Beijing on Security Alert Amid Alleged Christmas Threats

The district is home to a popular open-plan mall that boasts high-end brands like Mango, Reiss, and Lacoste, and some of Beijing’s best Western dining.

A yellow alert is the second lowest level in China’s four-level security alert system.

Several foreign embassies in Beijing, including the American and British ones, warned yesterday (Dec 24) of possible threats against Westerners in a shopping district on or around Christmas Day, urging their citizens to “exercise heightened vigilance”.

In August, a woman was stabbed to death in broad daylight by a sword-wielding man there.

The American embassy, in an email sent to American citizens living in the capital, said the same warning was given to US government employees in Beijing.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said he was aware of the reports and that the government paid great attention to foreigners’ safety.

Word of possible danger reached the U.S., British, Irish and French embassies for possible trouble on or around Christmas Day as Beijing police issued a security alert for the holiday period.

According to BBC, there was an increased police presence in Beijing’s Sanlitun diplomatic and entertainment district on Thursday.

Embassy spokespeople contacted said they had no more information to share.

The city’s police confirmed a yellow alert was in place, added: “Beijing police are planning ahead and taking many measures… to ensure public order”.