While we grieve over the atrocities of the terror attack last Saturday, many may wonder why it occurred in Kunming. Why, if the attackers' minds were truly on Beijing, where China's top legislature would convene several days later, did it occur where it did?

Terror theory is simple: Seeking notice and to influence public opinion, terrorists often identify targets with high public visibility, global media exposure or symbolic meaning. And Beijing fits the bill better than any other city.

So why Kunming?