Security Incidents in Run-up to PRC 60th Anniversary

Safety & Security Report

Introduction

On October 1^st, the People’s Republic of China will be celebrating the 60^th anniversary of its founding. In the lead-up to the event, heavily armed security officers as well as volunteer forces have been patrolling almost every street corner of the city. While crime rates in Beijing are generally low, and the added security presence should only help maintain this order, a few notable incidents of crime have been reported in the last two weeks.

Knife Attacks

On September 17, an unemployed migrant worker killed two security guards and injured fourteen others in a neighborhood just outside of Tiananmen Square. Authorities say that the man was apparently drunk and went on a random stabbing spree. Two days later, a French tourist was slightly injured in another random, unrelated stabbing attack. This incident also took place near Tiananmen Square.

Restaurant Explosion

Early on the morning of September 25, a Chinese-owned restaurant in downtown Beijing exploded, injuring 3 employees and an unknown number of passers-by. The blast shattered windows up to 109 yards away, showering debris onto the nearby road and leaving the building housing the restaurant partially collapsed. According to the initial investigation, the explosion was an accident caused by a broken gas line. However, rumors have been swirling that the explosion was not an accident, but rather the result of a placed bomb. Fueling this speculation is the fact that it was a Xinjiang-style restaurant and that September 25 was the 60^th anniversary of what China calls Xinjiang’s “peaceful liberation.” Xinjiang has been the scene of ethnic violence between Muslim Uighurs and Han Chinese citizens. This past July, close to 200 people were killed in ethnic riots in Xinjiang’s capital city Urumqi. There is, however, no evidence to suggest that the explosion was anything more than an accident, let alone an attack on a Uighur symbol.

Conclusion

As mentioned, Beijing is by and large considered a safe city. The knife attacks appear to have been random, unrelated acts of violence and the restaurant explosion is being ruled an accident. However, even with the sizable security presence throughout the city, constituents operating in Beijing should be cognizant of their security, especially in the lead-up to such a sensitive date. OSAC constituents are asked to report any security incidents witnessed or experienced, and can consult with RISC’s Regional Coordinator for East Asia/Pacific for additional information.