Chinese consulate in Houston shuts after four decades

The Chinese consulate in the US city of Houston officially closed after more than four decades on Friday when relations between the United States and China reached a new low.

Tensions between the two nations have increased in recent months over Beijing's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, China's crackdown on its Muslim Uighurs in Xinjiang and Beijing, imposing a controversial national security law in Hong Kong.

According to media reports, the United States had asked China to close its Consulate General in Houston in 72 hours, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo alleged that it was a center for espionage and theft of intellectual property. "

Senior US officials also accused the Houston consulate of being part of Beijing's "espionage operations" in the United States.

In an eye-for-an-eye move, China also ordered the United States on Friday to close its consulate in Chengdu. While ordering the shutdown, China accused the United States of interfering in its "internal affairs and damaging national security interests."

On Friday, the People's Republic of China flag and seal were removed from outside the Houston consulate when U.S. officials took over the building, less than an hour after the deadline set by the Trump administration expired.

Early in the morning, consulate staff were seen removing their belongings from the building.

Around 30 protesters with placards were seen celebrating outside the consulate.

Source The Hindu