Americans in Beijing warned of terrorism threat; parts of city locked down

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

French and Australian governments have advised their citizens to remain vigilant.

“‘The U.S. Embassy has received information of possible threats against Westerners in the Sanlitun area of Beijing, on or around Christmas Day, ‘ the embassy said in an email to American citizens living in Beijing”. Roads leading into the embassy area were closed to traffic.

Chinese authorities did not publicly address the USA statement, but did issue a “yellow alert” warning people about shopping malls and supermarkets during the Christmas period.

The nature of the attacks was not clear in the statement, although reports are indicative of increased police presence in the district, which is known for its nightlife venues and worldwide stores. “The U.S. Embassy has issued the same guidance to U.S. government personnel”.

The U.S. Embassy in Beijing on Thursday morning warned citizens of a Christmastime terrorism threat against Westerners in one of the city’s most popular expat districts.

Beijing is generally safe and criminals rarely target travellers, although the fashionable Sanlitun bar and restaurant district occasionally sees fights.

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

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

The government blamed that incident on Islamist militants from China’s unruly far western region of Xinjiang, where hundreds have died in unrest in recent years.