Unemployed transient Li Yin was picked up October 16 at a hotel in Yanqing County, near the Great Wall about 70 kilometers northwest of Beijing, said spokesman Liu Wei. Police found in Li's bag a credit card and 10 travelers checks that had belonged to the victim, Liu said.

The spokesman identified the victim only as Thomas Peter Edward. British media earlier identified him as Tom Dawson, 24, a graphic designer from London who was touring Asia.

Li, also 24, told police he spotted the victim on the evening of September 30 camping in an ancient watchtower along a part of the wall just outside the popular Badaling section, Liu said.

Li returned at dawn with a knife, intending to rob the victim as he slept, Liu said. However, the victim awoke and tried to stop Li, who then killed him.

The victim's body was found lying on a hillside next to the Great Wall the next day, October 2, by a pair of Chinese tourists, the spokesman said.

"Li Yin admitted everything about the robbery and killing and did not try to hide any of the facts," Liu said. The case has been sent for further processing, he said, without giving details.

Violence against foreign-ers - especially near a high-profile attraction like the Great Wall - is rare in China.

(eastday.com October 25, 2002)