Could Muslim militants in China actually attack Beijing during the Olympics?

Question

Muslims militants from Xinjiang in China launched an attack on Chinese police. Could they actually attack Beijing?

Security seems tight at Beijing, but what are the realistic odds that these Islamic militants could make it into Beijing?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7540138.stm

Answer 1

Anything is possible, but $6 billion in security measures is a h**l lot of back doors to go through.

Answer 2

Of course.  They are Muslims.

As just about every terrorist in the world today is.  But that is all a coincidence.

The story you refer to is summarized as "Islamists kill 16 Chinese policemen four days before Olympic opening."

The attackers are said to have driven up to a border post near Kashgar, in the Muslim region of Xinjiang, in a rubbish truck and thrown two grenades before attacking the policemen with knives. The post, 4,000 km from Beijing, is on the border with Tajikistan. No group has claimed the attack.

A Chinese army officer has warned that the Islamic separatists of the province, the East Turkestan terrorist organization, are the biggest danger to the Olympics.

Last month, the Turkestan Islamic Party claimed to have blown up buses in Shanghai and Yunnan killing five people. In a videotape, the group claimed responsibility for those attacks and threatened the Olympic Games.

World, Look Out!!

Answer 3

Well of course anything is possible. As I understand it, Muslims living in that area have been rebelling against the repressive Chinese regime for quite a while. As much as I hate Muslim extremism... They may have a point here. But rebellion against a repressive government is one thing. If they escalate it to attacking innocent civilians in the Olympics, any possibility for sympathy will evaporate quickly.

Answer 4

Everything is possible. But the Chinese security is too good.

Answer 5

This could be the answer to every ones problem. The overcrowding of China would be reduced, and the oil fields of the Middle East could be liberated by the massive hordes of Chinese seeking revenge against these arrogant folks.

Answer 6

Yes of course they could. One would hope that the Chinese Authorities can stop anything like that though.

You already knew the answer didn't you, but were just doubting your own judgement.

Answer 7

Absolutely they could...I would love to believe that the PRC can crack down on extremist acts, but with the world watching and a global showcase it must be a tempting target.  The police in PRC are an arm of the military which means in addition to being police officers they are trained soldiers, which means they have a greater capacity to respond should an event occur.  China has a reputation for ruthlessness when it comes to opposition, this could be a good or bad thing in this case.  China has centuries of human rights violations and questionable foreign policy, and I suppose some people may want to make them answer for it. Could be a massive powder keg there. All I can say is I think I'll steer clear of Beijing for a couple of months.