ST. PAUL -- A Minnesota trade mission will visit China next week as scheduled despite warnings of a possible terrorist attack.
Luxury hotels in Beijing, such as one 217 Minnesotans have booked, could be a target.
"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," the embassy's Internet site reported Wednesday. "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."
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said that while he takes the threat seriously, he will not cancel the long-planned mission.
Some of the Minnesota delegation already is in China, but the main contingent is scheduled to leave Friday. Minnesotans are to spend five days in Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
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A main goal of the mission is to build relations with Chinese business and government leaders to facilitate future trade.
The British Broadcasting Corp. somewhat downplayed the threat, reporting: "China is often accused of exaggerating the threat of Islamic militancy to justify its crackdown on groups such as its Uighur minority."
