Houston, TX — On Wednesday, the communist country of China condemned what it called an “unprecedented escalation” by the United States and threatened to retaliate after claiming it was abruptly ordered to close its Chinese consulate in Houston, according to reports.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in a daily news briefing that the government had been told without warning Tuesday to close the consulate.
Wenbin said the consulate had been operating normally Tuesday and called the alleged move an “unprecedented escalation,” according to the South China Morning Post.
Wang stated that, “China demands the US revoke the wrong decision. If the US went ahead, China would take necessary counter measures.”
Houston’s KPRC-TV reported that the Chinese consulate burned documents inside the courtyard Tuesday evening. “You could just smell the paper burning,” a witness told the station. “But, all the firefighters were just surrounding the building. They couldn’t go inside.”
“The US asked China to close Consulate General in Houston in 72 hours. This is a crazy move,” Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times wrote on Twitter.
The US asked China to close Consulate General in Houston in 72 hours. This is a crazy move.
— Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) July 22, 2020
KPRC reported that the consulate was ordered to close by Friday along with a compound where many consulate employees live, citing police sources. According to Reuters, Beijing called the alleged eviction a violation of international law.
Chinese foreign ministry condemned the US for closing Chinese Consulate General in Houston and urged the US to immediately correct its mistakes. Otherwise, China will make a legitimate and necessary response. Which US consulate general in China is most likely to be closed?
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) July 22, 2020
