Fire Reported on the Grounds of the Chinese Consulate, Days Before Closure 

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.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 … (read more)

Source: abc13.com