US and China Close Consulates... US-China Conflict Escalates (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The conflict between the U.S. and China is intensifying as the U.S. has demanded the closure of the Chinese Consulate General in Houston within 3 days (72 hours). China has strongly condemned this and is reportedly considering closing the U.S. Consulate General in Wuhan, Hubei Province, as a retaliatory measure.

On the 22nd, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing, "On the 21st, the U.S. suddenly demanded the closure of the Chinese Consulate General in Houston." Wang emphasized, "We urge the U.S. to immediately revoke this wrong decision. If the U.S. persists, China will definitely take resolute measures."

Wang particularly said, "This is a unilateral political provocation that seriously violates international law and deliberately damages China-U.S. relations. China strongly condemns the U.S.'s reckless and unjust actions." He also pointed out, "Demanding the unilateral closure of the Houston Consulate General within a short period is an unusually escalated measure by the U.S. against China."

The U.S. State Department mentioned that the demand to close the Chinese Consulate General is "to protect the intellectual property and personal information of Americans." Morgan Ortagus, spokesperson for the State Department, told reporters, "Under the Vienna Convention, each country has an obligation not to interfere in the internal affairs of another country." He added, "The U.S. will not tolerate China infringing on our sovereignty and threatening our people."

Meanwhile, this U.S. action comes amid escalating conflicts between the two countries over various issues including responsibility for the spread of COVID-19, the Hong Kong National Security Law, South China Sea territorial disputes, human rights issues in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Taiwan, and sanctions on Huawei, pushing tensions to the extreme. China is reportedly considering closing the U.S. Consulate General in Wuhan as a countermeasure to the U.S. action.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.