Well if a Chinese hacker had access to hotel Wi-Fi and the user was using an encrypted connection to get their email (SSL/TLS/HTTPS/VPN etc) they'd have seen nothing but gibberish. The email address would be unknown by the hacker. If standard (unencrypted) POP/SMTP was used they'd have seen the email addy and the password (as clear text). With the latter no "hacking attempts" would've been required--they'd simply log in.
In short it's probably coincidence. -- Don't feed trolls--it only makes them grow!
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