US embassy warns of possible threats in Beijing

The U.S. Embassy in Beijing is warning of possible threats against Westerners in the Sanlitun area of the city on or around Christmas day.

{mosads}U.S. citizens in the area, a commercial center with popular bars and restaurants among tourists, are advised to exercise heightened vigilance.

British intelligence officials also received information of a potential threat, according to the BBC.

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

Beijing officials issued a yellow security alert — the second-lowest in China’s four-color alert system — in the city in order to maintain social order.

The alert will bring a heightened security presence to the area, the state news agency Xinhua reported. There were armed security personnel stationed outside of shopping malls in Sanlitun on Thursday.

There are no further details from governmental agencies about the nature of the threat.