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kuldaenOffline
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Post  Posted: Nov 10, 2005 - 10:55 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top
Post subject: Terrorist Threats in China?!

Email warnings from various consulate/embassies have been passed around the office about possible threats to Hotels in China.

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/sos/ci/cur-en.asp?txt_ID=704

Quote:
Dear Canadian Citizens,

Chinese authorities have advised that four and five star hotels in China, particularly in Shanghai and Hong Kong, have been targeted as possible venues for terrorist attacks in the weeks to come. We have been assured by the local authorities that they are taking appropriate security measures and investigating all possible threats thoroughly. Canadians in China should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times, particularly in commercial and public establishments.
Canadian government officials and colleagues from other diplomatic missions are in regular contact with representatives of the Chinese government, and we are taking every opportunity to stress the importance remaining vigilant with regards to your personal security and exercise caution whenever possible. While at present we have no information indicating the timing off these possible attacks, we are closely monitoring the situation as a precaution.
During the next few weeks, we are asking all Canadians to be particularly vigilant regarding security issues. We recommend monitoring local media for current information and you may also wish to check Foreign Affairs Canada's travel website http://www.voyage.gc.ca for more general information.
We also suggest that all Canadians take note of the following contact information for the Canadian missions in China:


and one from the US Embassy
Quote:
The Embassy has learned that Chinese police advised hotels that Islamic extremist elements could be planning to attack four and five star hotels in China sometime over the course of the next week. Chinese authorities have assured the Embassy that they are taking appropriate security measures and investigating the possible threat thoroughly. American citizens visiting Chinese four and five star hotels should review their plans carefully, remain vigilant with regard to their personal security, and exercise caution. Reports should be made to local police if one notices unusual activities in or around these areas.

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Magnolia
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Post  Posted: Nov 10, 2005 - 11:02 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

On CNN and other large news agencies also.

Has to do with the Jordan bombings yesterday.

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GeoffOzOffline
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Post  Posted: Nov 10, 2005 - 12:34 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

The same reports circulating around our office as well.

Be careful out there...

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janlynn
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Post  Posted: Nov 10, 2005 - 12:40 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

The reports came out before the bombings were reported! I do believe Jordan did not anticipate it would happen there. The Chinese Gov't issues an open warning to the world. It is in Todays online newspapers. It was on a couple of sites last night late

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Post  Posted: Nov 10, 2005 - 01:08 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Does Tiger Woods know about this?

He might want to change hotels.

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Post  Posted: Nov 10, 2005 - 01:26 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

The Hilton in Shanghai is talking of putting up an x-ray machine, don't think I've ever seen an x-ray machine as a security measure. This is according to the South China Morning Post.

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Post  Posted: Nov 10, 2005 - 01:28 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Here's the story in case anyone wants to read it. http://www.scmp.com/topnews/ZZZ0SPNIRFE.html




CARY HUANG in Beijing, BILL SAVADOVE in Shanghai and JANE CAI


_____

   Mainland police have warned luxury hotels that Islamic extremists may be planning attacks in the coming week, ahead of the visit to Beijing by US President George W. Bush, the US embassy said yesterday.

Authorities had assured the embassy they were taking appropriate security measures and investigating the possible threat, the embassy said in a message posted on its website.

<http://bs.serving-sys.com/BurstingPipe/BannerRedirect.asp?FlightID=87 707&Page=&PluID=0&Pos=2179>



The message has been e-mailed to American citizens in cities including Beijing and Shanghai.

"The embassy has learned that Chinese police advised hotels that Islamic extremist elements could be planning to attack four- and five-star hotels in China some time over the course of the next week," the embassy message said.

"American citizens visiting Chinese four- and five-star hotels should review their plans carefully, remain vigilant with regard to their personal security, and exercise caution."

Mr Bush will pay an official visit to Beijing from November 19 to 21 after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum meeting in South Korea next week.

Another group of heavyweight US politicians will arrive in Beijing next week. George Bush Snr, the former US president, and California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger are due in Beijing for a China-US relations forum, while US Trade Representative Rob Portman is scheduled to arrive in the capital for trade talks.

The warning did not say if the extremists were from within the mainland or abroad.

Some hotels contacted by the South China Morning Post last night confirmed they had received the warning from local authorities on Friday. In Shanghai, luxury hotels have used the past five days to review and upgrade security plans, although they already had measures in place. "Since September 11, [2001], everyone has been more vigilant," said one executive.

At the Hilton Hotel, guests must pass an X-ray machine to enter.

A police spokesman in Beijing told TVB news last night it was not aware of the threat. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had not received any notification from police and was trying to understand more about the situation.

Separatists from Xinjiang have been fighting for decades to make the region an independent homeland called East Turkestan. Uygurs make up 9 million of Xinjiang's 19 million-strong population, and many of them favour greater autonomy for the region.

The central government blamed pro-independence activists for a string of assassinations of pro-government clerics, bombings and riots in the western region in the 1990s.

Beijing has previously linked the East Turkestan Islamic Movement to the al-Qaeda network, and in August 2002 the US said it considered the movement a terrorist organisation.

Beijing has co-operated with the US in its fight against terrorism since the September 11 attacks.

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Post  Posted: Nov 10, 2005 - 04:47 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Everyone seems to be on a heightened security alert.

In fact, the good looking female security guard at my apartment building has threatened me with a strip search each time I enter or leave the building. I'm not sure if the building management has orgainsed any metal detectors or X-Ray machines.

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Post  Posted: Nov 10, 2005 - 04:57 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Then GeoffOz, don't forget to stick a bunch of safeypins in your clothing and don't forget the back pockets too! You wouldn't want to walk by the hot security guard without going beep beep beep.

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Post  Posted: Nov 10, 2005 - 05:08 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

GeoffOz wrote:
Everyone seems to be on a heightened security alert.

In fact, the good looking female security guard at my apartment building has threatened me with a strip search each time I enter or leave the building. I'm not sure if the building management has orgainsed any metal detectors or X-Ray machines.


I don't know mate, this was dangerously close to a CreepOz post. Are you sure you are switching your names properly?

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Post  Posted: Nov 10, 2005 - 05:27 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Just flew in and out of New York. Christ... Got to take laptop out of bag for an X-ray, had@to screen jacket, had to remove shoes for an X-ray too. Wow. I`m surprised they didn't shove a camera up my ass.

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Post  Posted: Nov 10, 2005 - 05:32 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Anniboodk wrote:
Then GeoffOz, don't forget to stick a bunch of safeypins in your clothing and don't forget the back pockets too! You wouldn't want to walk by the hot security guard without going beep beep beep.


Anniboodk, that's the second great idea you've given me this week!!

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yu888
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Post  Posted: Nov 10, 2005 - 05:51 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Madibaman wrote:
Just flew in and out of New York. Christ... Got to take laptop out of bag for an X-ray, had@to screen jacket, had to remove shoes for an X-ray too. Wow. I`m surprised they didn't shove a camera up my ass.


That has been standard procedure since "September 11". Probably a good thing considering the potential alternatives i suppose. But yes, kind of a PITA. Just went thru it 10x in the last 2 weeks. Makes the security lines unbearable, especially at smaller regional airports where there just is not the space to handle the equipment and staff...waited over 40 mins to go thru security at 6am in Wichita KS last week. Sigh. But i guess i felt safer...Rolling Eyes
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Post  Posted: Nov 10, 2005 - 06:03 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

It's been the same in Oz for quite a while. Lap-top out of the bag, change and keys out of the pockets, belt off the pants, shoes off the feet, watch off the wrist, etc, etc. It's a strip show at security!!

They have even passed a law prohibiting any jokes about suspect items in your suitcase when you are checking in. You risk a hefty fine and imprisonment if you make any bomb jokes at the airport.

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Post  Posted: Nov 10, 2005 - 09:55 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

US Consulate Retracts Hotel Threat Warning issued to US Citizens in China

Quote:
Hotel Threat Deemed Not Credible

The Chinese Ministry of Public Security informed the U.S. Embassy in Beijing on November 10 that Chinese security authorities have determined that the source of a reported threat against four and five star hotels in China is not credible. The United States Government is not aware of any other information of any threat against hotels in China, including Hong Kong. Our message of November 9 on threats to hotels is therefore retracted.
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KiwiOffline
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Post  Posted: Nov 10, 2005 - 10:34 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Well that's a relief. I was worried Nathalie25 was going to get blown up in a 5 star hotel. That would have been a tragedy.

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Post  Posted: Nov 10, 2005 - 11:14 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

At the moment there are headlines showng on Google news saying that Beijing has retracted the warning. Funny though, none of the news stories load up when you click the links. Gosh golly, I wonder why?
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yu888
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Post  Posted: Nov 11, 2005 - 08:07 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Yeah what a pain. Would be nice to see the retraction but some overzealous bureaucrat is working overtime to keep it form the masses. weird. Anyhow, security warning retracted. Thats good.
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Post  Posted: Nov 11, 2005 - 08:20 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

If the security warning has been retracted and everything is OK, then I want to know why the pretty female security guard at my apartment complex continues to insist on a full body [and occasionally, a strip] search every time I walk in and out of the building!

On second thoughts, I'm pleased that she takes security so seriously. Please don't tell her that the warning has been retracted...

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Post  Posted: Nov 11, 2005 - 08:35 AM  Reply with quote  Back to top

geoff, its that piece of weaponry that you carry daily that she's interested. She thinks its locked and loaded. Surprised
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cashewOffline
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Post  Posted: Nov 11, 2005 - 01:14 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

security warnings are a bit dodgy anyway

it's just bad luck if you happen to get blown up

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pist-agn
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Post  Posted: Nov 11, 2005 - 01:20 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Okay, I am going to be in Bejing and shanghai at the Grand Hyatt in both cities over the next couple weeks!!!! This is REALLY FREAKING ME OUT!!!!!!!

I am thinking I will cancel the trip Shocked Crying or Very sad

I seriously may puke right now
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janlynn
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Post  Posted: Nov 11, 2005 - 01:23 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

Yeah but they really want the Americans and that includes the continent. Even with the supposed threats, you will probably be safer here as the Jordanians unfortunately found out

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Post  Posted: Nov 11, 2005 - 01:40 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

pist-again, you are likely much safer here in China than in the US. Ironic but true.
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Post  Posted: Nov 11, 2005 - 03:45 PM  Reply with quote  Back to top

By looking at who are the ones which are broadcasting this bogus news, it's basically a self-confession of who did the Jordan bombing.

If the Chinese goverment has any backbones, they would start putting marks on a few people.
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