Beijing - 'under threat'
China has warned of a possible terror threat luxury hotels with the upcoming visit by George W Bush [VoA]. The U.S. Embassy says the Chinese police warning was specific: Islamic extremists are planning to attack five and four-star hotels in China "sometime over the course of next week". The embassy advised Americans staying at luxury hotels to remain vigilant and to exercise caution. The warning had come prior to the bombing today of three US hotels in Jordan. Sixty three people have so far died in those attacks.
There are few known Islamic militant groups operating in China. However, China's northwestern frontier region is home to minority Muslim groups such as the Uighurs. China considers one Uighur group, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, to be engaged in terrorist activities. Several Uighurs fought with the Taleban in Afghanistan and are now in U.S. custody at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The BBC broke the story at 10:26 GMT on Wednesday, though Reuters did put out details some 3 hours earlier. There was no sign of the story on the Chinese state press agency website [Xinhua News]. George W Bush is set to arrive on November 19th.
[00:04 GMT 10/11/2005]
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