China said on Wednesday that the US has ordered it to close its consulate in Houston in what an official called an outrageous and unjustified move that will sabotage China-US Relations.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin condemned the action, which comes as tensions rise between the world’s two largest economies. He warned of firm countermeasures if the US 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.
There was no immediate confirmation or explanation from the US side. Soon, videos shared by people around the consulate showed several open bins or containers with flames coming out of them as the consulate staff threw papers in the flame.