Armed police officers patrol the Sanlitun area of Beijing on December 24, 2015. The British and U.S. embassies in China say they have received information of possible threats against Westerners at and around Christmas in the popular district home to a high-end, open-plan mall and some of Beijing's best dining in Western cuisines.
Armed police officers patrol the Sanlitun area of Beijing on December 24, 2015. The British and U.S. embassies in China say they have received information of possible threats against Westerners at and around Christmas in the popular district home to a high-end, open-plan mall and some of Beijing's best dining in Western cuisines.
Guanhong Hu
China's Ministry of Public Security has increased security measures during the holiday season throughout the country, targeting potential safety risks involving guns and explosives.
China's Ministry of Public Security has increased security measures during the holiday season throughout the country, targeting potential safety risks involving guns and explosives.
Chinese Public Security Ministry
This handout image from the Ministry of Public Security shows heightened safety patrol by armed officers.
This handout image from the Ministry of Public Security shows heightened safety patrol by armed officers.
Chinese Public Security Ministry
While these security measures coincided with the British and U.S. embassies' warning of threats against Westerners in Beijing on Christmas eve, Chinese security officials have not named any specific terror threat they are facing or mentioned cooperation with foreign governments.
While these security measures coincided with the British and U.S. embassies' warning of threats against Westerners in Beijing on Christmas eve, Chinese security officials have not named any specific terror threat they are facing or mentioned cooperation with foreign governments.
Chinese Public Security Ministry
Beijing police beefed up its presence at large and medium-sized malls but didn't tie it to the warnings.
Beijing police beefed up its presence at large and medium-sized malls but didn't tie it to the warnings.
Jessie Jiang
Armed officers are deployed publicly in the open areas of Sanlitun while shoppers and passersby carry on with their activities.
Armed officers are deployed publicly in the open areas of Sanlitun while shoppers and passersby carry on with their activities.
Jessie Jiang
Both the British and U.S. embassies in China sent out warnings to their citizens and staff on Christmas eve, urging extra vigilance if they are in Beijing's Sanlitun area.
Both the British and U.S. embassies in China sent out warnings to their citizens and staff on Christmas eve, urging extra vigilance if they are in Beijing's Sanlitun area.
Jessie Jiang
In a statement posted on its official Weibo page, the Public Security Bureau said it deployed security forces because of increased traffic at shopping centers during Christmas.
In a statement posted on its official Weibo page, the Public Security Bureau said it deployed security forces because of increased traffic at shopping centers during Christmas.
Jessie Jiang