China to Shut Down U.S. Consulate in Chengdu, Retaliating for Houston!

In retaliation of the Trump’s order to close China’s consulate in Houston, Beijing on Friday announced that it has ordered the United States to withdraw its consulate in Chengdu.

 

As of July 21, 2020,  the U.S. has ordered the closure of the Chinese Consulate in Houston over spying concerns within 72 hours or by Friday. The tension between the two countries continued to escalate after the Chinese Consulate reportedly burned documents at its courtyard, causing smoke to hover around the area.

 

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the decision was due to China was “stealing” intellectual property.

 

Chinese Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Friday, said its has informed the U.S. Embassy in China of its decision to close the establishment and operation of the U.S. Consulate in Chengdu as it was a “legitimate and necessary response to the unreasonable measures by the United States”.

 

“The U.S. move seriously breached international law, the basic norms of international relations, and the terms of the China-U.S. Consular Convention. It gravely harmed China-U.S. relations,” said the statement.

 

“The measure taken by China is a legitimate and necessary response to the unjustified act by the United States. It conforms with international law, the basic norms of international relations, and customary diplomatic practices,” said the statement.