Chinese officials announce that the threat of terrorism during the Olympic Games is high

Chinese officials announced on 29 July 2008 that the threat of terrorism during the Olympic Games is high, adding, however, that the high level of security, which has been implemented steadily over the past year, will help minimize that threat. The announcement comes after an unknown terrorist group released a video on 25 July, issuing a direct threat to the Beijing Olympics. The Turkistan Islamic Party -- not to be confused with the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) -- which is based in the predominantly Uyghur region in the northwest of China, praised and took credit for the so-called "jihad," which took place in Yunnan on 21 July, when two buses were blown up, killing two people and injuring four others. The group also took credit for the 5 May Shanghai bus bombings. The militants also warned athletes and spectators, particularly those of Muslim origin, to not attend the Games. The alleged group commander indicated in the three-minute-long video that his organization will attack central cities and critical points using tactics that have never been used before. Specific targets mentioned include Chinese government buildings, military barracks, airports and aircraft, railways, hotels, entertainment venues and tourist spots. The video also stated that the group considers the use of biological weapons legitimate. Contradicting the claims made in the video, Chinese officials stated that there was no connection between the Yunnan and Shanghai attacks and this group. Experts have indicated that the Turkistan Islamic Party is a break-off from a secessionist group based in China's Central Asian frontier that has ties to al-Qaeda.