U.S. orders China to shut Houston consulate
China said on Wednesday (July 22) the United States had abruptly told it to close its consulate in the city of Houston, a move that Beijing said it strongly condemns, threatening retaliation.
The U.S. Department of State confirmed the impending closure of the Houston consulate.
The United States gave the Chinese side a deadline of three days to close the mission in the Texas city, the Chinese foreign ministry said.
"The unilateral closure of China's Consulate General in Houston within a short period of time is an unprecedented escalation of its recent actions against China," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said during a regular news briefing.
Fire trucks were seen parked outside of the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas, on late Tuesday evening, responding to calls from nearby residents who saw smoke billowing from the building.
U.S. media reported in Houston that documents were being burned in a courtyard at the consulate.
Ties between the United States and China have become increasingly tense since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan at the beginning of the year.
