One person was killed in a series of explosions outside a Communist Party building in the Chinese city of Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi province.

State media said another eight were injured in the blasts in the northern city, caused by what is understood to be home-made bombs.

Images of the explosions were caught on bystanders’ mobile phones. Residents were quoted in the state media as saying up to seven blasts went off.

The Communist Party building appeared to be undamaged. There has been no immediate explanation for the attack.

In Beijing last week a car crashed into bystanders on the edge of Tiananmen Square and burst into flames. Five people were killed three of whom were in the car. Authorities blamed the attack on terrorists.

Security has been stepped up for a major economic meeting with the Communist Party’s top officials later this week.