Wednesday, November 9 2005 18:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beijing: Chinese police have warned that Islamic extremists could be planning to attack luxury hotels in the Communist nation next week, according to the US embassy here.

"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," it said in a statement on its website today (Nov 9, 2005).

American citizens visiting Chinese four and five-star hotels should review their plans carefully, remain vigilant with regard to their personnel security and exercise caution, the embassy said.

However, it said, "Chinese authorities have assured the embassy that they are taking appropriate security measures and investigating the possible threat thoroughly."

The warning came ahead of US President George W Bush's three-day visit to China from November 19.