After an incident at the US consulate in Shanghai, the US Embassy has reacted to reports about further planned violence during Spring Festival.

On Thursday evening, a car crashed into a barrier at a side entrance to the US consulate in Shanghai on Wulumuqi Lu. The driver, who identified himself as Liu Daojie, said he crashed the car in order to gain police attention and protection, believing he is under threat. A security guard was injured by Liu's car.

The Embassy issued a statement regarding reports of a planned attack or attacks in Yunnan province.

"The United States Embassy in Beijing is aware of media reports alleging that terrorists may be planning to launch an attack in Kunming, Yunnan province, over the Lunar New Year period. The Embassy has not been able to verify the accuracy fo this report," the US Embassy said in a statement.

Photo: Webculture