The United States ordered China to close its consulate in Houston, escalating tensions between the world’s largest economies as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure against China ahead of the November election.
Washington — Beijing denounced the order Wednesday as “outrageous” and said it would draw a firm response if not reversed.
There were indications consulate staff were preparing to leave. There were reports of papers being burned on the consulate grounds Tuesday night — a common practice when a diplomatic post is being shuttered on short notice. The Department of Justice on Tuesday had announced the indictments of two Chinese hackers on charges of trying to steal pharmaceutical secrets from US companies related to the Covid-19 pandemic that originated in China. Although there was no indication the two measures were related, the US has long alleged China is involved in nefarious activity around the country, including from its Houston consulate.
“If we compare the two, it is only too evident which is engaged in interference, infiltration and confrontation,” Wang said. He also said that the Chinese Embassy in Washington has received bomb and death threats, and accused the US government of fanning hatred against China.
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