Chinese Consulate Dumpster Fire: U.S. Has Ordered China To Close Its Consulate In Houston
Documents burned on the grounds of the Chinese Consulate in Houston
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The U.S. has ordered China to close its consulate in Houston in what a Chinese official called an outrageous and unjustified move that will sabotage relations between the two countries.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin condemned the action, which comes at a time of rising tensions between the world's two largest economies. He warned of firm countermeasures if the U.S. does not reverse its decision.
"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," Wang said at a daily news briefing.
Video from Consulate General of China in Houston, TX shows fire in the courtyard of the building, hours before it was shut down today.— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) July 22, 2020
US State Dept. ordered its closure in another escalation with China: pic.twitter.com/XBZ1OnZ43f
Purported video showing documents being burned at the Chinese consulate in Houston, US.
— Ramesh (@RHoneykumar) July 22, 2020
It is believed that Chinese burnt files/documents after US asked Beijing to close this consulate. pic.twitter.com/RLnye3cuXo
Firefighters arrived at the Chinese consulate in Houston after witness reports that papers were being burned outside in open containers, according to local media reports, citing police.
— Bloomberg QuickTake (@QuickTake) July 22, 2020
Earlier the U.S. abruptly ordered China to close the consulate. More: https://t.co/hWinxI0lff pic.twitter.com/qCkkQniW29
Besides its embassy in Beijing, the U.S. has five consulates in mainland China, according to its website. They are in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan and Shenyang.
The U.S. said in a brief statement that the consulate was ordered closed "to protect American intellectual property and American's private information." It did not provide any details.
Media reports in Houston said that authorities had responded to reports of a fire at the Chinese Consulate. Witnesses said that people were burning paper in what appeared to be trash cans.
"It appears to be open burning in a container within the courtyard of the Chinese consulate facility. It does not appear to be an unconfined fire but we have not been allowed access. We are standing by and monitoring," said Chief Sam Pena.
The Chinese Consulate was told to close the building by this Friday.
Houston police said in a tweet that officers responded to "a meet the firefighter" call at the Chinese Consulate building at 3417 Montrose Blvd. The tweet said that smoke was observed in an outdoor courtyard area, and that officers were not allowed to enter the building. Source
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