Rising US-China Tensions... Withdrawal of Chinese Consulate General in Houston

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[Asia Economy Reporter Lim On-yu] China has withdrawn from its consulate general in Houston, which was ordered to close by the United States.

According to the Houston Chronicle on the 24th (local time), the Chinese consulate general evacuated its staff and closed the consulate on the day of the U.S.-mandated eviction deadline. However, the Chinese government has not officially announced the closure of the Houston consulate general.

The U.S. government took immediate control of the consulate following its closure. Individuals believed to be officials from the U.S. Department of State arrived at the consulate building around 4:40 p.m. and forcibly opened the back door to enter. The Houston Chronicle reported, "U.S. officials have taken over the Chinese consulate in Houston."

Major U.S. media outlets also reported, "After the U.S. government's closure order took effect, a group of men believed to be U.S. officials entered the Chinese consulate in Houston."

On the 21st, the U.S. had designated the Chinese consulate general in Houston as a base for espionage and intellectual property theft and demanded its closure within 72 hours. The Houston consulate general was the first consulate China opened in the U.S. in 1979, when the two countries established diplomatic relations.

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