“The U.S. government has abruptly ordered China to close its consulate in Houston in what Beijing is calling an ‘unprecedented escalation.'” reports The Daily Beast.
“The forced eviction, which China said was unilaterally initiated by the Trump administration, is the latest sign of deteriorating ties between the world’s two biggest economies. China threatened retaliation for the closure and accused the U.S. of harassing diplomatic staff and intimidating Chinese students, confiscating personal electrical devices, and detaining them without cause. On Tuesday, two Chinese citizens were charged by the U.S. Justice Department with hacking Western sites where coronavirus vaccines are being developed.”
“On Tuesday night, papers were being burned outside at the embassy as the Chinese prepared to leave. In videos posted online by local media outlets in Houston, fires could be seen in multiple containers, with smoke rising into the sky. Firefighters were not allowed inside the complex.”