LEAD: U.S. warns of terror threat to Americans in Guangzhou

HONG KONG, Nov. 14 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATING WITH WARNINGS ISSUED BY JAPAN, AUSTRALIA)

U.S. citizens in or heading for China's southern city Guangzhou were warned late Sunday about possible terror attacks at U.S. government facilities and social gathering places there.

The warning issued by the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou said the U.S. government ''has received credible information that a terrorist threat may exist against official U.S. government facilities in Guangzhou.''

''This threat also may exist for places where Americans are known to congregate or visit, including clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools or outdoor recreation events. American citizens in south China are advised to be aware of their surroundings and remain alert to possible threats,'' the consulate said.

It also urged Americans in China to register with the consulate so it is easier for consulate personnel to contact them in case of emergency.

A source in the Guangzhou consulate declined to reveal details of the threat, but said Chinese authorities were notified about the matter and extra security guards were sent to step up police presence at U.S. government facilities in the city.

The consulates of other countries like Japan and Australia followed Monday with warnings to their citizens to steer clear of areas mentioned in the U.S. message.

Last Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing warned of possible terror attacks against four- and five-star hotels by Islamic extremists.

The embassy retracted the warning after China's Public Security Ministry informed it a day later the threat was made by a foreign citizen ''without credibility.''

But the newspaper The Standard in Hong Kong quoted an anonymous former U.S. intelligence agent as saying information provided by Chinese police to Western hotel managers in China was not ''vague'' and that Americans living and traveling in China do have a reason to be wary as militant separatists are constantly looking to ''make noise.''

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