The U.S. embassy in Beijing put out a warning Thursday for “possible threats” against westerners on Christmas.
“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 a statement on its website.
“U.S. citizens are urged to exercise heightened vigilance. The U.S. Embassy has issued the same guidance to U.S. government personnel,” the message continued.
The French Embassy in Beijing also has a memo on its website which said the U.S. embassy warned it of the threat and urged all French citizens to exercise “utmost vigilance.” The embassies of the United Kingdom and Ireland also put out similar statements.
No particular threats were mentioned. There are reports of heavily armed Chinese police and paramilitary officers patrolling Sanlitun and certain embassies have been barricaded.
More Chinese anti-terror troops in Sanlitun, Beijing after US alert pic.twitter.com/7iSyUkTr9N
— Tom Phillips (@tomphillipsin) December 24, 2015
Road leading to Moroccan & Yemeni embassies in Beijing barricaded off today pic.twitter.com/C32kPzAuZh
— Tom Phillips (@tomphillipsin) December 24, 2015
The Sanlitun area of Beijing is known for its bars, restaurants and shopping outlets.
The State Department declared a worldwide travel alert in November due to risks from “increased terrorist threats.” State said the alert would last until Feb. 24.
