Could Muslim extremists be this stupid? Or is it security paranoia ahead of George W. Bush's visit to China? Could elements from Xinjaing be involved? From the American Embassy in Beijing:

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.

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

The problem with these terror alerts are the danger of the "boy who cried wolf" syndrome. While it is prudent to err on the side of caution, surely there is a balance to be struck between the issuance of these alerts and saving them for when there is a genuine threat. What does it mean to review their plans carefully, remain vigilant with regard to their personal security, and exercise caution? Does the embassy assume that at other times people don't do these things? OK, I've reviewed my plan carefully, now what?

Ah, but if it's viewed as an act of backside-covering, that's a different matter. In that case governments and embassies have a bias to over-issuing alerts. Sometimes alerts are justified: Australian Prime Minister John Howard's alerts came just before police smashed a major pontetial terror event. But in and of themselves, these alerts matter little. They offer little constructive advice and are typically too broad and vague. In the post September 11 world, everyone is more vigilant as they get on with their lives. Crying wolf doesn't help.

Other reading

Will has more on the terror warning in Beijing and there's the terror warning in Shanghai, although the British don't seem to know anything about it.

Update (16:40)

In what can only be described as a massive "up yours" to the Americans from the Chinese, Shaky sends this:

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 warden message(s) of November 9 and 10 on threats to hotels is therefore retracted.