After the United States pulled out of its consulate in Chengdu, the Chinese foreign embassy said that its move was "justified and necessary response to the unjustifiable behaviour of the US."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-authorities-take-possession-of-closed-us-consulate-in-chengdu-foreign-ministry-316173">Also Read:&nbsp;Chinese authorities take possession of closed US consulate in Chengdu</a>

"China's requirement conforms to the international law and basic norms governing international relations, as well as diplomatic conventions," the country's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-china-consulate-war-why-china-shut-down-the-chengdu-consulate-315816/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

China on Monday took control of the US consulate building after ordering the US staff to vacate in retaliation for China's ouster from the Houston consulate in Texas as tensions rose to a new level between the two powerful economies. The United States had accused the Chinese staff in Houston of espionage, as the Chinese hit back making a similar allegation on the US staff at Chengdu citing national security issues.

The US lowered its flag at 6:18 am on Monday as police barracked the area and stepped up security.

In a video message, the US embassy said: "The US consulate in Chengdu has been proudly promoting the mutual understanding between Americans and the people in Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Yunnan and Tibet since 1985. We will forever miss you."

Wenbin asserted that the US had taken "unilateral" and "provocative actions" by suddenly asking the Chinese side to close the consulate in Houston.&nbsp;

However, the Chinese foreign ministry said that it did not wish to see the "current situation of relations between China and the US" while adding that the "US bears the entire responsibility".

Wenbin urged the United States to "immediately correct its mistakes and create necessary conditions for the bilateral relations".

After the United States pulled out of its consulate in Chengdu, the Chinese foreign embassy said that its move was "justified and necessary response to the unjustifiable behaviour of the US.

After the United States pulled out of its consulate in Chengdu, the Chinese foreign embassy said that its move was "justified and necessary response to the unjustifiable behaviour of the US." Also Read: Chinese authorities take possession of closed US consulate in Chengdu "China's requirement conforms to the international law and basic norms governing international relations, as well as diplomatic conventions," the country's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said. Watch: China on Monday took control of the US consulate building after ordering the US staff to vacate in retaliation for China's ouster from the Houston consulate in Texas as tensions rose to a new level between the two powerful economies. The United States had accused the Chinese staff in Houston of espionage, as the Chinese hit back making a similar allegation on the US staff at Chengdu citing national security issues. The US lowered its flag at 6:18 am on Monday as police barracked the area and stepped up security. In a video message, the US embassy said: "The US consulate in Chengdu has been proudly promoting the mutual understanding between Americans and the people in Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Yunnan and Tibet since 1985. We will forever miss you." Wenbin asserted that the US had taken "unilateral" and "provocative actions" by suddenly asking the Chinese side to close the consulate in Houston. However, the Chinese foreign ministry said that it did not wish to see the "current situation of relations between China and the US" while adding that the "US bears the entire responsibility". Wenbin urged the United States to "immediately correct its mistakes and create necessary conditions for the bilateral relations".

Our requirement conforms to international law: China on closure of US consulate in Chengdu

Amid the row between the United States and China over internal security issues, the US Justice Department said that a Singaporean has pleaded guilty to using his political consultancy as a "front" &nbsp;to collect information for Chinese intelligence.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/people-in-us-consulate-in-chengdu-interfered-in-our-internal-affairs-china-315732">Also Read:&nbsp;People in US consulate in Chengdu interfered in our internal affairs, says&nbsp;China</a>

Assistant Attorney General John Demers said that Jun Wei Yeo "was using career networking sites and a false consulting firm to lure Americans who might be of interest to the Chinese government.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-china-orders-closure-of-us-consulate-in-chengdu-315763/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Jun Wei Yeo has filed a plea in a US court to one charge of operating illegally as a foreign agent.

In the plea, Yeo admitted to working between 2015 and 2019 for Chinese intelligence "to spot and assess Americans with access to valuable non-public information, including US military and government employees with high-level security clearances."

Meanwhile, a Chinese researcher who had taken refuge in China's San Francisco consulate to avoid visa fraud charges was arrested today.

Tang Juan allegedly had links to China's People's Liberation Army but hadn't mentioned it in her visa application. The FBI said it had found pictures of her in uniform with insignia for the PLA "civilian cadres" and found documents indicating she was a member of the Chinese Communist Party after searching her apartment in Davis, California.

Tang was one of the four Chinese researchers who was charged. The US Justice Department said that they were part of China's effort to "infiltrate" US institutions to gain scientific and technological knowledge.

The United States and China have been involved in a tit-for-tat battle over the closure of each other's consulates over national security issues. On Thursday, the United States accused Chinese authorities at the Houston consulate of&nbsp;"intellectual property" and national security threats. US authorities ordered the Chinese officials to vacate within 72 hours.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Houston mission was a "hub of spying and intellectual property theft".

China hit back on Friday&nbsp;ordered the US consulate in Chengdu to close in retaliation. China's foreign ministry said the US staff "was engaged in activities outside of their capacity, interfered in China's internal affairs, and endangered China's security and interests"..

Amid the row between the United States and China over internal security issues, the US Justice Department said that a Singaporean has pleaded guilty to using his political consultancy as a "front" to collect information for Chinese intelligence.

Amid the row between the United States and China over internal security issues, the US Justice Department said that a Singaporean has pleaded guilty to using his political consultancy as a "front" to collect information for Chinese intelligence. Also Read: People in US consulate in Chengdu interfered in our internal affairs, says China Assistant Attorney General John Demers said that Jun Wei Yeo "was using career networking sites and a false consulting firm to lure Americans who might be of interest to the Chinese government. Watch: Jun Wei Yeo has filed a plea in a US court to one charge of operating illegally as a foreign agent. In the plea, Yeo admitted to working between 2015 and 2019 for Chinese intelligence "to spot and assess Americans with access to valuable non-public information, including US military and government employees with high-level security clearances." Meanwhile, a Chinese researcher who had taken refuge in China's San Francisco consulate to avoid visa fraud charges was arrested today. Tang Juan allegedly had links to China's People's Liberation Army but hadn't mentioned it in her visa application. The FBI said it had found pictures of her in uniform with insignia for the PLA "civilian cadres" and found documents indicating she was a member of the Chinese Communist Party after searching her apartment in Davis, California. Tang was one of the four Chinese researchers who was charged. The US Justice Department said that they were part of China's effort to "infiltrate" US institutions to gain scientific and technological knowledge. The United States and China have been involved in a tit-for-tat battle over the closure of each other's consulates over national security issues. On Thursday, the United States accused Chinese authorities at the Houston consulate of "intellectual property" and national security threats. US authorities ordered the Chinese officials to vacate within 72 hours. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Houston mission was a "hub of spying and intellectual property theft". China hit back on Friday ordered the US consulate in Chengdu to close in retaliation. China's foreign ministry said the US staff "was engaged in activities outside of their capacity, interfered in China's internal affairs, and endangered China's security and interests"..

Singaporean pleads guilty in US court to working for Chinese intelligence

After the United States asked Chinese authorities to close its Houston consulate over alleged spying operations, China today warned its students to "be on guard" over "arbitrary interrogations and detentions".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-houston-consulate-closed-to-protect-american-intellectual-property-us-315168">Also Read:&nbsp;China's Houston consulate closed to 'protect American intellectual property', says&nbsp;US</a>

In a dramatic move on Wednesday, the US government ordered the Chinese consulate to close in order to "protect American intellectual property and American private information".

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-indicts-two-chinese-nationals-of-espionage-315177/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The US State Department said that China had engaged in spying operations adding that "these activities&nbsp;have increased markedly in scale and scope over the past few years".

The Chinese foreign ministry warning students, saying: "Recently, US law enforcement agencies have stepped up arbitrary interrogations, harassment, confiscation of personal belongings and detention targeting Chinese international students in the US."

Earlier in the day, there were reports of documents were being burned in the consulate as firefighters arrived but they were not allowed to enter the building.

Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said: "China urges the US to immediately withdraw its wrong decision, or China will definitely take a proper and necessary response."

"It is a political provocation unilaterally launched by the US side, which seriously violates international law... and the bilateral consular agreement between China and the US." it added.

Meanwhile, reports said China may shut the United States consulate in Wuhan which was the epicentre of the coronavirus, however, it has not been officially confirmed. 
&nbsp;

After the United States asked Chinese authorities to close its Houston consulate over alleged spying operations, China today warned its students to "be on guard" over "arbitrary interrogations and detentions".

After the United States asked Chinese authorities to close its Houston consulate over alleged spying operations, China today warned its students to "be on guard" over "arbitrary interrogations and detentions". Also Read: China's Houston consulate closed to 'protect American intellectual property', says US In a dramatic move on Wednesday, the US government ordered the Chinese consulate to close in order to "protect American intellectual property and American private information". Watch: The US State Department said that China had engaged in spying operations adding that "these activities have increased markedly in scale and scope over the past few years". The Chinese foreign ministry warning students, saying: "Recently, US law enforcement agencies have stepped up arbitrary interrogations, harassment, confiscation of personal belongings and detention targeting Chinese international students in the US." Earlier in the day, there were reports of documents were being burned in the consulate as firefighters arrived but they were not allowed to enter the building. Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said: "China urges the US to immediately withdraw its wrong decision, or China will definitely take a proper and necessary response." "It is a political provocation unilaterally launched by the US side, which seriously violates international law... and the bilateral consular agreement between China and the US." it added. Meanwhile, reports said China may shut the United States consulate in Wuhan which was the epicentre of the coronavirus, however, it has not been officially confirmed.

Houston consulate closure: China warns students in US over 'arbitrary interrogations and detentions'