Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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                US Embassy Issues Alert for Beijing Neighborhood

   by VOA News

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

   Few details were immediately available. Dozens of police, some with
   rifles, were seen standing on guard in the district, which contains
   popular nightlife venues and international stores. Roads leading into
   the embassy area were closed to traffic.

   The U.S. Embassy urged Americans to exercise heightened vigilance.

   British, French and other embassies also said they had received
   information of possible threats against Westerners and urged their
   citizens to be vigilant.

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

   Beijing police also announced Thursday that they had issued a yellow
   security alert to ensure safety during the Christmas period.

   According to Beijing's security regulations, the alert is the lowest on
   a three-tier security warning scale for large stores or shopping and
   entertainment areas, and is issued in case of receiving threats or
   finding suspected explosives.

   Police commonly issue a yellow alert during holiday periods.

   Some material for this report came from AP.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-embassy-issues-alert-for-beijing-neighborhood/3116800.html