<p>Chinese authorities have taken the possession of closed US consulate on Chengdu on Monday, as per foreign ministry's statement. The consulate was ordered to shut last week in a tit-for-tat move after the US ordered closing the Houston consulate.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-rejects-trumps-proposal-to-let-russia-back-into-g7-foreign-minister-316152" hreflang="en">Germany rejects Trump's proposal to let Russia back into G7: Foreign Minister</a></p>

<p>"At 10am on July 27th, according to the Chinese side's request, the US consulate in Chengdu was closed. Afterwards, Chinese authorities entered through the front entrance and took it over," the Chinese ministry's public diplomacy office said in a statement on its official social media account.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Thursday, the Chinese foreign ministry decided to shut down the US consulate and said that "the United States launched a unilateral provocation by abruptly demanding that China close its consulate in Houston".</p>

<p>China's foreign ministry said the measure taken by it was the "legitimate and necessary response to the unjustified act by the US".</p>

<p>The Chinese foreign ministry said that it "conforms with international law, the basic norms of international relations, and customary diplomatic practices."</p>

<p>"The current situation in China-US relations is not what China desires," it said, adding the US is responsible for it.</p>

<p>The Chinese spokesman said that some "people of the US consulate in Chengdu have engaged in activities that are incompatible with their status, interfering in China's internal affairs" while asserting that "China has repeatedly lodged representations, and the US side is well aware of it."</p>

<p>"The Chinese side has made specific requirements on the ceasing of all operations and activities by the US Consulate General in Chengdu, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity in diplomacy," Wang Wenbin said.</p>

<p>The US had ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston after what it called to "protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information" amid reports of papers being burned inside the Chinese consulate compound, as the fire reportedly started US firefighter arrived on the scene but were prevented from entering the building.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Chinese officials were ordered to vacate the consulate within 72 hours.</p>


Chinese authorities have taken the possession of closed US consulate on Chengdu on Monday, as per foreign ministry's statement. The consulate was ordered to shut last week in a tit-for-tat move after the US ordered closing the Houston consulate.

Chinese authorities have taken the possession of closed US consulate on Chengdu on Monday, as per foreign ministry's statement. The consulate was ordered to shut last week in a tit-for-tat move after the US ordered closing the Houston consulate. Also read: Germany rejects Trump's proposal to let Russia back into G7: Foreign Minister "At 10am on July 27th, according to the Chinese side's request, the US consulate in Chengdu was closed. Afterwards, Chinese authorities entered through the front entrance and took it over," the Chinese ministry's public diplomacy office said in a statement on its official social media account. On Thursday, the Chinese foreign ministry decided to shut down the US consulate and said that "the United States launched a unilateral provocation by abruptly demanding that China close its consulate in Houston". China's foreign ministry said the measure taken by it was the "legitimate and necessary response to the unjustified act by the US". The Chinese foreign ministry said that it "conforms with international law, the basic norms of international relations, and customary diplomatic practices." "The current situation in China-US relations is not what China desires," it said, adding the US is responsible for it. The Chinese spokesman said that some "people of the US consulate in Chengdu have engaged in activities that are incompatible with their status, interfering in China's internal affairs" while asserting that "China has repeatedly lodged representations, and the US side is well aware of it." "The Chinese side has made specific requirements on the ceasing of all operations and activities by the US Consulate General in Chengdu, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity in diplomacy," Wang Wenbin said. The US had ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston after what it called to "protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information" amid reports of papers being burned inside the Chinese consulate compound, as the fire reportedly started US firefighter arrived on the scene but were prevented from entering the building. The Chinese officials were ordered to vacate the consulate within 72 hours.

Chinese authorities take possession of closed US consulate in Chengdu: Foreign Ministry

Tit for tat: US and China order shut down of each other's consulates over 'political provocation'

<p>The central government of the People's Republic of China has ordered United States to close its consulate in Chengdu, as a countermeasure to the closure of the Chinese Consulate-General in Houston, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-houston-consulate-was-hub-of-spying-us-secretary-of-state-mike-pompeo-315582"><strong>Also read: 'China's Houston consulate was hub of spying': US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo</strong></a></p>

<p>According to reports Beijing was already preparing to close a US consulate in retaliation for the forced closure of the Chinese diplomatic facility in Houston.</p>

<p>The United States maintains five consulates on the Chinese mainland – in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Chengdu and Wuhan – as well as a consulate general for Hong Kong and Macau.<br />
<br />
On Wednesday (July 22), the United States had said it had given China 72 hours to close the consulate "to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information".<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-pompeo-calls-for-free-world-to-triumph-over-chinas-new-tyranny-315562"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Mike Pompeo calls for ‘free world’ to triumph over China's ‘new tyranny’</strong></a></p>

<p>China's embassy to the United States had described the move to close the Houston consulate as a "political provocation" and called on Washington to "immediately revoke" the decision.</p>

<p>Chinese state media had, in its editorials, also lambasted the move by the United States government to shut down China's consulate in Houston as an attempt to blame Beijing for American failures ahead of presidential elections in November.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the FBI has arrested three Chinese nationals for visa fraud, while a fourth remains a fugitive staying at China's consulate in San Francisco.</p>

<p>Chengdu alternatively romanized as Chengtu, is a sub-provincial city which serves as the capital of the Chinese province of Sichuan.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The central government of the People's Republic of China has ordered United States to close its consulate in Chengdu, as a countermeasure to the closure of the Chinese Consulate-General in Houston, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday.

The central government of the People's Republic of China has ordered United States to close its consulate in Chengdu, as a countermeasure to the closure of the Chinese Consulate-General in Houston, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday. Also read: 'China's Houston consulate was hub of spying': US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo According to reports Beijing was already preparing to close a US consulate in retaliation for the forced closure of the Chinese diplomatic facility in Houston. The United States maintains five consulates on the Chinese mainland – in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Chengdu and Wuhan – as well as a consulate general for Hong Kong and Macau. On Wednesday (July 22), the United States had said it had given China 72 hours to close the consulate "to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information". Also read: Mike Pompeo calls for ‘free world’ to triumph over China's ‘new tyranny’ China's embassy to the United States had described the move to close the Houston consulate as a "political provocation" and called on Washington to "immediately revoke" the decision. Chinese state media had, in its editorials, also lambasted the move by the United States government to shut down China's consulate in Houston as an attempt to blame Beijing for American failures ahead of presidential elections in November. Meanwhile, the FBI has arrested three Chinese nationals for visa fraud, while a fourth remains a fugitive staying at China's consulate in San Francisco. Chengdu alternatively romanized as Chengtu, is a sub-provincial city which serves as the capital of the Chinese province of Sichuan. (With inputs from agencies)

China orders US to close its consulate in Chengdu in response to Houston closure

<p>US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday that the China’s consulate in Houston was a hub of spying and Intellectual Property theft.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-pompeo-calls-for-free-world-to-triumph-over-chinas-new-tyranny-315562"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Mike Pompeo calls for ‘free world’ to triumph over China's ‘new tyranny’</strong></a></p>

<p>"Just this week we announced the closure of China’s consulate in Houston because it was a hub of spying and Intellectual Property theft. 2 weeks ago, we reversed 8 years of cheek turning with respect to international law in the South China Sea," Pompeo said in a California speech on China's threat to the world.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dead-britons-pompeo-slams-world-health-organization-says-chief-tedros-bought-by-china-315441">'Dead Britons': Pompeo slams WHO; says chief Tedros 'bought' by China</a></strong></p>

<p>"China ripped off our prized intellectual property and trade secrets costing millions of jobs across America" he said.</p>

<p>Talking about the China's army he said that we know that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is not a normal army. Its purpose is to uphold the absolute rule of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) elites, and expand a Chinese empire, not to protect the Chinese people.</p>

<p>"So our Department of Defense has ramped up its efforts, freedom of navigation operations throughout the East &amp; South China Seas &amp; the Taiwan Strait as well. We created the Space Force to help deter Chinese from aggression on the final frontier," he added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday that the China’s consulate in Houston was a hub of spying and Intellectual Property theft. Also read: Mike Pompeo calls for ‘free world’ to triumph over China's ‘new tyranny’ "Just this week we announced the closure of China’s consulate in Houston because it was a hub of spying and Intellectual Property theft.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday that the China’s consulate in Houston was a hub of spying and Intellectual Property theft. Also read: Mike Pompeo calls for ‘free world’ to triumph over China's ‘new tyranny’ "Just this week we announced the closure of China’s consulate in Houston because it was a hub of spying and Intellectual Property theft. 2 weeks ago, we reversed 8 years of cheek turning with respect to international law in the South China Sea," Pompeo said in a California speech on China's threat to the world. Also read: 'Dead Britons': Pompeo slams WHO; says chief Tedros 'bought' by China "China ripped off our prized intellectual property and trade secrets costing millions of jobs across America" he said. Talking about the China's army he said that we know that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is not a normal army. Its purpose is to uphold the absolute rule of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) elites, and expand a Chinese empire, not to protect the Chinese people. "So our Department of Defense has ramped up its efforts, freedom of navigation operations throughout the East & South China Seas & the Taiwan Strait as well. We created the Space Force to help deter Chinese from aggression on the final frontier," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

'China's Houston consulate was hub of spying': US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo

<p>The United States has asked China to close its Houston embassy because Washington claims the move will "protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information." China has been given 72 hours to wind up its operations.</p>

<p>The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says that China was stealing intellectual property.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A video captured by our crew outside the Consulate General of China in Houston shows people hosing down what appear to be flaming open containers in the courtyard of the property.<br />
DETAILS: <a href="https://t.co/2cOeKoap96">https://t.co/2cOeKoap96</a> <a href="https://t.co/ToQitHjy2T">pic.twitter.com/ToQitHjy2T</a></p>
— KPRC2Tulsi (@KPRC2Tulsi) <a href="https://twitter.com/KPRC2Tulsi/status/1285787738243989504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>A video of&nbsp;men destroying papers in the courtyard of the Houston consulate has been circulating on social media since Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the authenticity of the video cannot be guaranteed, emergency services&nbsp;were called to the consulate building. The Houston police said they did notice smoke, but were not allowed to enter the consulate.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">About 8:25 pm on Tuesday, our officers responded to a meet the firefighter call to the China Consulate General in Houston building at 3417 Montrose Blvd.<br />
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Smoke was observed in an outside courtyard area. Officers were not granted access to enter the building. 1/2</p>
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/houstonpolice/status/1285826800434774016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The incident happened on the same day as the&nbsp;US authorities also accused China of sponsoring hackers who were targeting the US labs. Within 24 hours, China was told to close its Houston consulate.</p>

<p>Beijing has called the accusations of intellectual theft "malicious slander". The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the order to close the consulate undermines the already deteriorating US-China relations.</p>

<p>Wang Wenbin, spokesman of&nbsp;China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The US side required China to close the consulate general in Houston, that seriously violates international law and basic norms governing international relations, seriously violates the related regulations in the bilateral consular agreement between China and the United States, and severely undermines China-US relations."</p>

<p>The Houston consulate was China's first consulate general in the US. China has&nbsp;four more consulates in the US, including&nbsp;the embassy in Washington DC.</p>

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<p>China's Foreign Ministry now claims that its Washington embassy has received death threats.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">As a result of smears &amp; hatred fanned up by the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/US?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#US</a> gov, the Chinese embassy has received <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bomb?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bomb</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeathThreats?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DeathThreats</a>.</p>
— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpokespersonCHN/status/1285970001199915008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Chinese consulate in San Francisco too is under scrutiny. The FBI claims that a Chinese researcher accused of visa fraud has been taking refuge in the building.</p>

<p>The US President Donald Trump has said that the US may ask China to close more consulates. "As far as closing additional embassies, it's always possible. You see what's going on, we thought there was a fire in the one that we did close and everybody said 'there's a fire, there's a fire'. And I guess they were burning documents are burning papers and I wonder what that was all about," he said.</p>

<p>According to Chinese media reports, Beijing may retaliate by asking the US to close its Wuhan consulate. China's main media outlet, Global Times, even put up a poll on which US&nbsp;consulate China could close.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chinese foreign ministry condemned the US for closing Chinese Consulate General in Houston and urged the US to immediately correct its mistakes. Otherwise, China will make a legitimate and necessary response. Which US consulate general in China is most likely to be closed?</p>
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/globaltimesnews/status/1285849456613617664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>However,&nbsp;the interesting thing that Twitter has been banned in China, so the whole point of voting becomes kind of obsolete.</p>


The United States has asked China to close its Houston embassy because Washington claims the move will "protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information.

The United States has asked China to close its Houston embassy because Washington claims the move will "protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information." China has been given 72 hours to wind up its operations. The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says that China was stealing intellectual property. A video captured by our crew outside the Consulate General of China in Houston shows people hosing down what appear to be flaming open containers in the courtyard of the property. DETAILS: https://t.co/2cOeKoap96 pic.twitter.com/ToQitHjy2T — KPRC2Tulsi (@KPRC2Tulsi) July 22, 2020 × A video of men destroying papers in the courtyard of the Houston consulate has been circulating on social media since Tuesday. While the authenticity of the video cannot be guaranteed, emergency services were called to the consulate building. The Houston police said they did notice smoke, but were not allowed to enter the consulate. About 8:25 pm on Tuesday, our officers responded to a meet the firefighter call to the China Consulate General in Houston building at 3417 Montrose Blvd. Smoke was observed in an outside courtyard area. Officers were not granted access to enter the building. 1/2 — Houston Police (@houstonpolice) July 22, 2020 × The incident happened on the same day as the US authorities also accused China of sponsoring hackers who were targeting the US labs. Within 24 hours, China was told to close its Houston consulate. Beijing has called the accusations of intellectual theft "malicious slander". The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the order to close the consulate undermines the already deteriorating US-China relations. Wang Wenbin, spokesman of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The US side required China to close the consulate general in Houston, that seriously violates international law and basic norms governing international relations, seriously violates the related regulations in the bilateral consular agreement between China and the United States, and severely undermines China-US relations." The Houston consulate was China's first consulate general in the US. China has four more consulates in the US, including the embassy in Washington DC. China's Foreign Ministry now claims that its Washington embassy has received death threats. As a result of smears & hatred fanned up by the #US gov, the Chinese embassy has received #bomb & #DeathThreats. — Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) July 22, 2020 × The Chinese consulate in San Francisco too is under scrutiny. The FBI claims that a Chinese researcher accused of visa fraud has been taking refuge in the building. The US President Donald Trump has said that the US may ask China to close more consulates. "As far as closing additional embassies, it's always possible. You see what's going on, we thought there was a fire in the one that we did close and everybody said 'there's a fire, there's a fire'. And I guess they were burning documents are burning papers and I wonder what that was all about," he said. According to Chinese media reports, Beijing may retaliate by asking the US to close its Wuhan consulate. China's main media outlet, Global Times, even put up a poll on which US consulate China could close. Chinese foreign ministry condemned the US for closing Chinese Consulate General in Houston and urged the US to immediately correct its mistakes. Otherwise, China will make a legitimate and necessary response. Which US consulate general in China is most likely to be closed? — Global Times (@globaltimesnews) July 22, 2020 × However, the interesting thing that Twitter has been banned in China, so the whole point of voting becomes kind of obsolete.

After Houston, China may ask US to close Wuhan consulate: Reports

<p>After China ordered the closure of the US consulate in Chengdu in a tit-for-tat move as the US closed China's Houston consulate on Thursday, the Chinese foreign ministry said that "the United States launched a unilateral provocation by abruptly demanding that China close its consulate in Houston".</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-orders-us-to-close-its-consulate-in-chengdu-in-response-to-houston-closure-315605">Also Read:&nbsp;China orders US to close its consulate in Chengdu in response to Houston closure</a></p>

<p>China's foreign ministry said the measure taken by it was the "legitimate and necessary response to the unjustified act by the US".</p>

<p><strong>Watch:</strong></p>

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<p>The Chinese foreign ministry said that it "conforms with international law, the basic norms of international relations, and customary diplomatic practices."</p>

<p>"The current situation in China-US relations is not what China desires," it said, adding the US is responsible for it.</p>

<p>The US had ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston after what it called to "protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information" amid reports of papers being burned inside the Chinese consulate compound, as the fire reportedly started US firefighter arrived on the scene but were prevented from entering the building.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Chinese officials were ordered to vacate the consulate within 72 hours.</p>

<p>"We once again urge the US to immediately retract its wrong decision and create necessary conditions for bringing the bilateral relationship back on track," China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.</p>

<p>The Chinese spokesman said that some "people of the US consulate in Chengdu have engaged in activities that are incompatible with their status, interfering in China's internal affairs" while asserting that "China has repeatedly lodged representations, and the US side is well aware of it."</p>

<p>"The Chinese side has made specific requirements on the ceasing of all operations and activities by the US Consulate General in Chengdu, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity in diplomacy," Wang Wenbin said.</p>


After China ordered the closure of the US consulate in Chengdu in a tit-for-tat move as the US closed China's Houston consulate on Thursday, the Chinese foreign ministry said that "the United States launched a unilateral provocation by abruptly demanding that China close its consulate in Houston".

After China ordered the closure of the US consulate in Chengdu in a tit-for-tat move as the US closed China's Houston consulate on Thursday, the Chinese foreign ministry said that "the United States launched a unilateral provocation by abruptly demanding that China close its consulate in Houston". Also Read: China orders US to close its consulate in Chengdu in response to Houston closure China's foreign ministry said the measure taken by it was the "legitimate and necessary response to the unjustified act by the US". Watch: The Chinese foreign ministry said that it "conforms with international law, the basic norms of international relations, and customary diplomatic practices." "The current situation in China-US relations is not what China desires," it said, adding the US is responsible for it. The US had ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston after what it called to "protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information" amid reports of papers being burned inside the Chinese consulate compound, as the fire reportedly started US firefighter arrived on the scene but were prevented from entering the building. The Chinese officials were ordered to vacate the consulate within 72 hours. "We once again urge the US to immediately retract its wrong decision and create necessary conditions for bringing the bilateral relationship back on track," China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said. The Chinese spokesman said that some "people of the US consulate in Chengdu have engaged in activities that are incompatible with their status, interfering in China's internal affairs" while asserting that "China has repeatedly lodged representations, and the US side is well aware of it." "The Chinese side has made specific requirements on the ceasing of all operations and activities by the US Consulate General in Chengdu, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity in diplomacy," Wang Wenbin said.

People in US consulate in Chengdu interfered in our internal affairs: China

<p>Chinese state media has, in its editorials, lambasted the move by the United States government to shut down China's consulate in Houston as an attempt to blame Beijing for American failures ahead of presidential elections in November.</p>

<p>The United States said on Wednesday it had given China 72 hours to close the consulate "to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information".</p>

<p>The decision marked a dramatic escalation of tensions between the two nations amid fresh accusations of Chinese espionage in the United States and calls by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for a new global coalition against Beijing.</p>

<p>China's embassy to the United States described the move to close the Houston consulate as a "political provocation" and called on Washington to "immediately revoke" the decision.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying wrote on Twitter that China would "surely react with firm countermeasures".</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-houston-consulate-closed-to-protect-american-intellectual-property-us-315168"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;China's Houston consulate closed to 'protect American intellectual property': US</strong></a></p>

<p>The official English-language newspaper China Daily described the move as "a new gambit in the US administration's bid to paint China as a malevolent actor on the world stage, and thus make it an outlaw to the international community."</p>

<p>"The move shows that lagging behind his presidential election opponent in the polls... the US leader is going all out in his attempts to portray China as an agent of evil," it added.</p>

<p>The Global Times, an English-language tabloid run by the Communist Party's People's Daily newspaper, also accused US President Donald Trump of resorting to dirty politics.</p>

<p>"The November presidential election is driving Washington mad," it said.</p>

<p>In a statement released on Thursday morning, the Chinese embassy in Washington accused the United States of "groundless fabrications" about the actions of China's diplomatic missions and urged it to "immediately revoke this erroneous decision".</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/houston-consulate-closure-china-warns-students-in-us-over-arbitrary-interrogations-and-detentions-315184"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Houston consulate closure: China warns students in US over 'arbitrary interrogations and detentions'</strong></a></p>

<p>"It's time to step on the brakes and return to the right direction!" the embassy posted separately on its official Twitter account.</p>

<p>According to US court filings, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is also alleging that a Chinese researcher accused of visa fraud and concealing ties to the military is now holed up in China's consulate in San Francisco.</p>

<p>Other Chinese researchers at US universities have also been arrested for visa fraud, the filings showed.</p>


Chinese state media has, in its editorials, lambasted the move by the United States government to shut down China's consulate in Houston as an attempt to blame Beijing for American failures ahead of presidential elections in November.

Chinese state media has, in its editorials, lambasted the move by the United States government to shut down China's consulate in Houston as an attempt to blame Beijing for American failures ahead of presidential elections in November. The United States said on Wednesday it had given China 72 hours to close the consulate "to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information". The decision marked a dramatic escalation of tensions between the two nations amid fresh accusations of Chinese espionage in the United States and calls by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for a new global coalition against Beijing. China's embassy to the United States described the move to close the Houston consulate as a "political provocation" and called on Washington to "immediately revoke" the decision. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying wrote on Twitter that China would "surely react with firm countermeasures". Also read | China's Houston consulate closed to 'protect American intellectual property': US The official English-language newspaper China Daily described the move as "a new gambit in the US administration's bid to paint China as a malevolent actor on the world stage, and thus make it an outlaw to the international community." "The move shows that lagging behind his presidential election opponent in the polls... the US leader is going all out in his attempts to portray China as an agent of evil," it added. The Global Times, an English-language tabloid run by the Communist Party's People's Daily newspaper, also accused US President Donald Trump of resorting to dirty politics. "The November presidential election is driving Washington mad," it said. In a statement released on Thursday morning, the Chinese embassy in Washington accused the United States of "groundless fabrications" about the actions of China's diplomatic missions and urged it to "immediately revoke this erroneous decision". Also read | Houston consulate closure: China warns students in US over 'arbitrary interrogations and detentions' "It's time to step on the brakes and return to the right direction!" the embassy posted separately on its official Twitter account. According to US court filings, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is also alleging that a Chinese researcher accused of visa fraud and concealing ties to the military is now holed up in China's consulate in San Francisco. Other Chinese researchers at US universities have also been arrested for visa fraud, the filings showed.

Chinese state media blasts Houston consulate shutdown as Trump election gambit

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidlpiUGqgjKyRq" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>A new cold war is brewing between the United States and China. The two arch-rivals are out to get each other. Xi Jinping wants to beat America and Donald Trump wants to single out China.&nbsp;The powerplay is on and the United States has made three huge moves to target the Chinese - military posturing, consulate battles and going after Chinese hackers</p>

<p>The United States has been equipping and positioning its forces across Asia.&nbsp;US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper outlined the plan. The US has been sending navy ships to Asia and is selling arms to Taiwan. America has been creating and arming an alliance on the high seas even as Chinese ships have been active in the South China Sea&nbsp;and around Taiwan.</p>

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<p>Esper said activities by China has been&nbsp;destabilising the entire region and America wishes to counter it.&nbsp;A key part of America's strategy will be India. The US Secretary of Defence brought up the recent naval exercise off the coast of Andaman and Nicobar islands. Esper said&nbsp;such exercises are an effort to project power.</p>

<p>America on Wednesday ordered China to shut down its consulate in Houston within 72 hours because US officials believe the&nbsp;diplomatic outpost was being used for spying&nbsp;for expanding Chinese influence in America.</p>

<p>Washington has not shared the specifics&nbsp;but it has constantly accused China of attempts to steal commercial and military secrets, a&nbsp;charge that China continues to deny.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This video shared with us by a viewer who lives next to the Consulate General of China in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Houston?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Houston</a> shows fire and activity in the courtyard of the building.<br />
DETAILS SO FAR: <a href="https://t.co/2cOeKoap96">https://t.co/2cOeKoap96</a> <a href="https://t.co/0myxe6HIlC">pic.twitter.com/0myxe6HIlC</a></p>
— KPRC2Tulsi (@KPRC2Tulsi) <a href="https://twitter.com/KPRC2Tulsi/status/1285772143788261376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Chinese diplomats were reportedly seen dumping paper into flaming barrels&nbsp;hours after the Trump administration asked China to close this consulate.&nbsp;As for the&nbsp;consulate, China has sovereignty over it. According to international rules, no one can enter or leave&nbsp;without China’s permission&nbsp;technically, not even Americans.</p>

<p>America has made&nbsp;accused China of spying. US&nbsp;Investigators said that it is not just Chinese missions that snoop, they say China has hired hackers. They're stealing coronavirus vaccine research&nbsp;not just in America&nbsp;but around the world.</p>

<p>The US has also charged two former electrical engineering students for allegedly being&nbsp;private hackers. They reportedly worked for money and also received support from Chinese intelligence agents. Two firms in the US were allegedly targeted - a&nbsp;biotech firm in Massachusetts that was researching possible cures for the Wuhan virus and&nbsp;a Maryland company which was researching the virus.</p>


A new cold war is brewing between the United States and China. The two arch-rivals are out to get each other. Xi Jinping wants to beat America and Donald Trump wants to single out China.

A new cold war is brewing between the United States and China. The two arch-rivals are out to get each other. Xi Jinping wants to beat America and Donald Trump wants to single out China. The powerplay is on and the United States has made three huge moves to target the Chinese - military posturing, consulate battles and going after Chinese hackers The United States has been equipping and positioning its forces across Asia. US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper outlined the plan. The US has been sending navy ships to Asia and is selling arms to Taiwan. America has been creating and arming an alliance on the high seas even as Chinese ships have been active in the South China Sea and around Taiwan. × Esper said activities by China has been destabilising the entire region and America wishes to counter it. A key part of America's strategy will be India. The US Secretary of Defence brought up the recent naval exercise off the coast of Andaman and Nicobar islands. Esper said such exercises are an effort to project power. America on Wednesday ordered China to shut down its consulate in Houston within 72 hours because US officials believe the diplomatic outpost was being used for spying for expanding Chinese influence in America. Washington has not shared the specifics but it has constantly accused China of attempts to steal commercial and military secrets, a charge that China continues to deny. This video shared with us by a viewer who lives next to the Consulate General of China in #Houston shows fire and activity in the courtyard of the building. DETAILS SO FAR: https://t.co/2cOeKoap96 pic.twitter.com/0myxe6HIlC — KPRC2Tulsi (@KPRC2Tulsi) July 22, 2020 × Chinese diplomats were reportedly seen dumping paper into flaming barrels hours after the Trump administration asked China to close this consulate. As for the consulate, China has sovereignty over it. According to international rules, no one can enter or leave without China’s permission technically, not even Americans. America has made accused China of spying. US Investigators said that it is not just Chinese missions that snoop, they say China has hired hackers. They're stealing coronavirus vaccine research not just in America but around the world. The US has also charged two former electrical engineering students for allegedly being private hackers. They reportedly worked for money and also received support from Chinese intelligence agents. Two firms in the US were allegedly targeted - a biotech firm in Massachusetts that was researching possible cures for the Wuhan virus and a Maryland company which was researching the virus.

As new cold war brews, US takes three big steps to target China

<p>Tensions between the United States and China have continued to rise following the forced closure by Washington of Beijing's consulate in Houston. It is being reported that federal prosecutors are seeking a Chinese scientist accused of visa fraud who they say is hiding out in China's consulate in San Francisco.</p>

<p>According to CNN, prosecutors allege Tang Juan lied about her connection to the Chinese military in order to obtain entry into the US and has since avoided arrest by taking refuge in the West Coast diplomatic mission.</p>

<p>According to court filings, Tang was charged on June 26 with one count of visa fraud.</p>

<p>Prosecutors said she concealed her connection to the country's military in her visa application, but investigators discovered she had been employed as a researcher at the Fourth Military Medical University (FMMU).</p>

<p>During an interview with FBI agents on June 20, Tang denied serving in the Chinese military and said that wearing a military uniform was required for attendance at FMMU because it was a military school, CNN reported.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/closure-of-more-chinese-embassies-possible-says-trump-as-us-shuts-down-consulate-in-houston-315329"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Closure of more Chinese embassies 'possible', says Trump as US shuts down consulate in Houston</strong></a></p>

<p>However, during a search of her residence and electronic media, FBI agents allegedly "found further evidence of Tang's PLA affiliation."</p>

<p>It's speculated that after the interrogation, Tang allegedly fled to the San Francisco consulate, "where the FBI assesses she has remained.</p>

<p>Several attempts have been made to arrest her.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, Beijing promised to retaliate to the Houston closure, with state media pointing to the potential shuttering of one of the US' numerous diplomatic missions within China.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-state-media-blasts-houston-consulate-shutdown-as-trump-election-gambit-315289"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Chinese state media blasts Houston consulate shutdown as Trump election gambit</strong></a></p>

<p>China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday called the order an "unprecedented escalation" and suggested it would retaliate in kind. Officials in Houston were even seen appearing to burn documents in a courtyard outside the consulate.</p>

<p>Relations between China and the United States have plummeted in the past year, amid an ongoing trade war, the coronavirus pandemic, and US criticism of China's human rights abuses in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Tensions between the United States and China have continued to rise following the forced closure by Washington of Beijing's consulate in Houston. It is being reported that federal prosecutors are seeking a Chinese scientist accused of visa fraud who they say is hiding out in China's consulate in San Francisco.

Tensions between the United States and China have continued to rise following the forced closure by Washington of Beijing's consulate in Houston. It is being reported that federal prosecutors are seeking a Chinese scientist accused of visa fraud who they say is hiding out in China's consulate in San Francisco. According to CNN, prosecutors allege Tang Juan lied about her connection to the Chinese military in order to obtain entry into the US and has since avoided arrest by taking refuge in the West Coast diplomatic mission. According to court filings, Tang was charged on June 26 with one count of visa fraud. Prosecutors said she concealed her connection to the country's military in her visa application, but investigators discovered she had been employed as a researcher at the Fourth Military Medical University (FMMU). During an interview with FBI agents on June 20, Tang denied serving in the Chinese military and said that wearing a military uniform was required for attendance at FMMU because it was a military school, CNN reported. Also read | Closure of more Chinese embassies 'possible', says Trump as US shuts down consulate in Houston However, during a search of her residence and electronic media, FBI agents allegedly "found further evidence of Tang's PLA affiliation." It's speculated that after the interrogation, Tang allegedly fled to the San Francisco consulate, "where the FBI assesses she has remained. Several attempts have been made to arrest her. On Wednesday, Beijing promised to retaliate to the Houston closure, with state media pointing to the potential shuttering of one of the US' numerous diplomatic missions within China. Also read | Chinese state media blasts Houston consulate shutdown as Trump election gambit China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday called the order an "unprecedented escalation" and suggested it would retaliate in kind. Officials in Houston were even seen appearing to burn documents in a courtyard outside the consulate. Relations between China and the United States have plummeted in the past year, amid an ongoing trade war, the coronavirus pandemic, and US criticism of China's human rights abuses in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

China harbouring military-linked fugitive scientist at San Francisco consulate, says FBI