New Spasm Of Violence In Western China As 7 Die In Wave Of Bombings

Paramilitary policemen take part in an anti-terrorism drill in Zhuzhou, Hunan province, July 30, 2008. China will have nearly 100,000 commandos, police and members of the military on standby up to and during the Beijing Olympics to handle potential terrorist attacks, state media reported. REUTERS/China Daily

From International Herald Tribune:

BEIJING: The violence in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang rose sharply Sunday morning with the deaths of a security guard and at least six suspects after a daring series of bombings that began with a predawn assault on a police station, the state news media reported.

The attacks, coinciding with the first weekend of the Beijing Olympics, occurred less than a week after what the Chinese authorities had previously described as China's worst terrorist assault in recent memory, in the Xinjiang city of Kashgar. Last Monday, two Uighur Muslims rammed a truck into a group of paramilitary officers who were doing their morning exercises, then attacked with explosives and knives. Sixteen officers were killed and several more were wounded.

Read more ....

More News On China's Terrorism Problem

China attacks worst in years but Games look safe: analysts -- Yahoo News/AFP
China links bombings in west to Olympics -- International Herald Tribune
A China Threat From Pakistan? -- Time Magazine
China, India and Pakistan? -- Asia News Network

My Comment: China is learning what India and the U.S. have learned ... working and dealing with Pakistan is a double edge sword.

China Stops More Terrorists Targeting Olympics

China's Olympic Stadium

From Voice Of America:

China says it has stopped five terrorist groups and arrested 82 suspected terrorists who were plotting to attack the Beijing Olympics. Daniel Schearf reports from Beijing the announcement was made one day after police in northwestern China said they shot and killed five people during a raid on a terrorist-training hideout.

China's official Xinhua news agency says police broke up the suspected terrorist groups in the first half of this year in northwest Xinjiang province.

Xinhua quoted Chen Zhuangwei, the head of public security in Xinjiang's capital, Urumqi, as saying the groups were separatists or extremists plotting to sabotage the Beijing Olympics.

Read more ....

More News on The Olympics, And Terrorism In China

China warns of Muslim terrorist threat ahead of Olympics -- AFP
China says foils "terrorists" targeting Olympics -- Reuters
China arrests 'Olympic plotters' -- BBC News
China: 5 'Olympic terror groups' smashed -- CNN
China offers £50,000 for Olympics terror tip-offs -- Times Online
Four weeks to go and Beijing's unknown army is in retreat -- The Guardian
China tightens its security for Olympic Games -- Times Online
Terror threat to Games: China shuts mosques -- Times Of India

My Comment: These news reports of terrorism plans and terrorists being killed or arrested in China is very worrisome. China has always had a problem with many of its minorities. Tibet is not the only one with grievances in China.

A terrorist attack in Beijing will be a tremendous propaganda coup for enemies of the Chinese Central government. As for the Chinese, the lost of face will result in an outburst of anger and retribution. While many people will be enjoying the Olympic spectacle .... they will be many worried about security and terrorist attacks.