On July 21, several fire trucks were rushed to the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas after nearby residents reported smoke coming from the consulate building.

Within minutes, some Chinese diplomats were seen dumping papers in barrels set on fire which sparked controversies.

After these reports, the US government clarified&nbsp;that it has ordered China to shut the Houston consulate in 72 hours.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-orders-us-chengdu-consulate-shut-american-flag-lowered-at-consulate-us-china-316179">Also watch:&nbsp;China orders U.S Chengdu consulate shut | American flag lowered at consulate | US-China</a>

The US President claimed that the shutting down of the Chinese consulate was because of security reasons and he also hinted at more of such closures coming up.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-consulate-shutdowns-new-phase-of-us-china-conflict-316372/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The Houston consulate was completely vacated within 72 hours i.e. on July 24.

After the US ordered closure of the Chinese consulate, China too ordered the US to shut down its consulate in Chengdu, China.&nbsp;American officials were asked to leave the facility and return home within 72 hours.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/american-flag-lowered-at-us-consulate-in-chengdu-316182">Also watch:&nbsp;American flag lowered at US consulate in Chengdu</a>

The deadline ended today (July 27) and the consulate was completely emptied out as the consulate staff was spotted leaving in huge buses. quickly after that, the Chinese officials surrounded the facility and the American flag outside the consulate building was also lowered. After this, all access to the consulate building was restricted.

The Chinese foreign ministry in Beijing has declared that it has officially taken over the premises.

Quickly after the consulate was emptied out, Chengdu became a venue of celebration. Crowds gathered and chanted of nationalism.

While US and China have been at a verbal war for months now, the events in the past week are hinting towards the&nbsp;possibility of a more dangerous phase of the US-China conflict.

On July 21, several fire trucks were rushed to the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas after nearby residents reported smoke coming from the consulate building. Within minutes, some Chinese diplomats were seen dumping papers in barrels set on fire which sparked controversies.

On July 21, several fire trucks were rushed to the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas after nearby residents reported smoke coming from the consulate building. Within minutes, some Chinese diplomats were seen dumping papers in barrels set on fire which sparked controversies. After these reports, the US government clarified that it has ordered China to shut the Houston consulate in 72 hours. Also watch: China orders U.S Chengdu consulate shut | American flag lowered at consulate | US-China The US President claimed that the shutting down of the Chinese consulate was because of security reasons and he also hinted at more of such closures coming up. × The Houston consulate was completely vacated within 72 hours i.e. on July 24. After the US ordered closure of the Chinese consulate, China too ordered the US to shut down its consulate in Chengdu, China. American officials were asked to leave the facility and return home within 72 hours. Also watch: American flag lowered at US consulate in Chengdu The deadline ended today (July 27) and the consulate was completely emptied out as the consulate staff was spotted leaving in huge buses. quickly after that, the Chinese officials surrounded the facility and the American flag outside the consulate building was also lowered. After this, all access to the consulate building was restricted. The Chinese foreign ministry in Beijing has declared that it has officially taken over the premises. Quickly after the consulate was emptied out, Chengdu became a venue of celebration. Crowds gathered and chanted of nationalism. While US and China have been at a verbal war for months now, the events in the past week are hinting towards the possibility of a more dangerous phase of the US-China conflict.

American flag lowered at Chengdu consulate after employees vacate building

US federal agents&nbsp;entered the Chinese consulate compound in Houston on Friday following the order to close the diplomatic facility.

The US officials had alleged the Houston consulate was a hub of a spying network run by the Chinese, and was part of a larger&nbsp;espionage effort using diplomatic facilities around the country.

To this end, a group of men accompanied by a US State Department official were seen forcing open a door at the Chinese consulate in Houston on Friday, shortly after a US government closure order for the mission took effect.

The group included a man who appeared to be a State Department top official. After the men pried open a rear door and went inside, two uniformed members of the US State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security arrived to guard the door.

According to CNN, a series of black SUVs, trucks, two white vans and a locksmith's van entered the property on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;staff at the US consulate in the Chinese city of Chengdu were busy packing belongings and removing the American insignia from the building on Saturday, a day after Beijing ordered its closure in a tit-for-tat diplomatic battle with Washington.

At least ten sacks were removed from the building in the early hours of the morning.

A worker on a small crane removed a circular US insignia from the front of the consulate, leaving just an American flag flying on the now unmarked site.

Other staff were seen moving trolleys around inside, one carrying a large empty metal bin, while some wheeled suitcases.

US officials said the consulate had been implicated in a fraud investigation at a Texas research institution and that Chinese consulate officials "were directly involved in communications with researchers and guided them on what information to collect."

The US had given China roughly 72 hours to "cease all operations and events" at the Houston facility on Tuesday, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which called the move an "unprecedented escalation" amid ongoing tension between the two countries.

RTensions have soared between the two powers on a range of fronts, including&nbsp;an ongoing trade war, the coronavirus pandemic, and US criticism of China's human rights abuses in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

Washington's demand for the Houston consulate to close also triggered a Chinese demand earlier Friday that the US close its consulate in Chengdu.&nbsp;Beijing says closing the Chengdu consulate was a "legitimate and necessary response to the unreasonable measures by the United States", and has alleged that staff at the diplomatic mission endangered China's security and interests.

(with inputs from agencies)

US federal agents entered the Chinese consulate compound in Houston on Friday following the order to close the diplomatic facility. The US officials had alleged the Houston consulate was a hub of a spying network run by the Chinese, and was part of a larger espionage effort using diplomatic facilities around the country.

US federal agents entered the Chinese consulate compound in Houston on Friday following the order to close the diplomatic facility. The US officials had alleged the Houston consulate was a hub of a spying network run by the Chinese, and was part of a larger espionage effort using diplomatic facilities around the country. To this end, a group of men accompanied by a US State Department official were seen forcing open a door at the Chinese consulate in Houston on Friday, shortly after a US government closure order for the mission took effect. The group included a man who appeared to be a State Department top official. After the men pried open a rear door and went inside, two uniformed members of the US State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security arrived to guard the door. According to CNN, a series of black SUVs, trucks, two white vans and a locksmith's van entered the property on Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, staff at the US consulate in the Chinese city of Chengdu were busy packing belongings and removing the American insignia from the building on Saturday, a day after Beijing ordered its closure in a tit-for-tat diplomatic battle with Washington. At least ten sacks were removed from the building in the early hours of the morning. A worker on a small crane removed a circular US insignia from the front of the consulate, leaving just an American flag flying on the now unmarked site. Other staff were seen moving trolleys around inside, one carrying a large empty metal bin, while some wheeled suitcases. US officials said the consulate had been implicated in a fraud investigation at a Texas research institution and that Chinese consulate officials "were directly involved in communications with researchers and guided them on what information to collect." The US had given China roughly 72 hours to "cease all operations and events" at the Houston facility on Tuesday, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which called the move an "unprecedented escalation" amid ongoing tension between the two countries. RTensions have soared between the two powers on a range of fronts, including an ongoing trade war, the coronavirus pandemic, and US criticism of China's human rights abuses in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. Washington's demand for the Houston consulate to close also triggered a Chinese demand earlier Friday that the US close its consulate in Chengdu. Beijing says closing the Chengdu consulate was a "legitimate and necessary response to the unreasonable measures by the United States", and has alleged that staff at the diplomatic mission endangered China's security and interests. (with inputs from agencies)

Consulates in Houston, Chengdu being readied for closure as US, China clash

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

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. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-houston-consulate-was-hub-of-spying-us-secretary-of-state-mike-pompeo-315582">Also read: 'China's Houston consulate was hub of spying': US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo</a>

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". 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-pompeo-calls-for-free-world-to-triumph-over-chinas-new-tyranny-315562">Also read:&nbsp;Mike Pompeo calls for ‘free world’ to triumph over China's ‘new tyranny’</a>

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)

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

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;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-pompeo-calls-for-free-world-to-triumph-over-chinas-new-tyranny-315562">Also read:&nbsp;Mike Pompeo calls for ‘free world’ to triumph over China's ‘new tyranny’</a>

"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:&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>

"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 &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.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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

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.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
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: <a href="https://t.co/2cOeKoap96">https://t.co/2cOeKoap96</a> <a href="https://t.co/ToQitHjy2T">pic.twitter.com/ToQitHjy2T</a>
— KPRC2Tulsi (@KPRC2Tulsi) <a href="https://twitter.com/KPRC2Tulsi/status/1285787738243989504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

A video of&nbsp;men destroying papers in the courtyard of the Houston consulate has been circulating on social media since Tuesday.&nbsp;

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.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
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) <a href="https://twitter.com/houstonpolice/status/1285826800434774016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

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.

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&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."

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.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-decoding-us-china-consulate-wars-315551/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

China's Foreign Ministry now claims that its Washington embassy has received death threats.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
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>.
— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpokespersonCHN/status/1285970001199915008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

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&nbsp;consulate China could close.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
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) <a href="https://twitter.com/globaltimesnews/status/1285849456613617664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

However,&nbsp;the interesting thing that Twitter has been banned in China, so the whole point of voting becomes kind of obsolete.

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

In a tit-for-tat escalation between the two countries, China has ordered the closure of the US consulate in the south-western city of Chengdu. Watch report.

China asks US to shut consulate | Chengdu | Retaliation to Houston consulate closure

From touch-free bag tag printing to biometric boarding, George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas has put new measures in place to allow passengers to travel from curb to aircraft while touching as few surfaces as possible.

Masks, fever checks and biometric boarding: new-look air travel in Texas, a coronavirus hot spot

The US State Department has said the recent closing of China's consulate in Houston was to ordered to protect Americans' intellectual property and private information.

Spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said that under the Vienna Convention states "have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs" of the receiving country.

Earlier in the day, Beijing said the United States had ordered China to close its Houston consulate, terming it a "political provocation" that would further harm diplomatic relations.

The Chinese Consulate in Houston, opened in 1979, covers eight southern US states -- including Texas and Florida -- and has nearly one million people in the area registered at the consulate.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-us-ordered-closure-of-houston-consulate-315137">Also read | China says US ordered closure of Houston consulate</a>

Furthermore, Ortagus said the US would not tolerate Chinese violations of their "sovereignty and intimidation of our people, just as we have not tolerated the PRC's unfair trade practices, theft of American jobs, and other egregious behavior."

"We have directed the closure of PRC Consulate General Houston, in order to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information," she said, without giving any more details.

The move comes as tensions soar between the world's two biggest economies on a number of fronts.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump's administration has ramped up pressure on China on a wide range of issues, imposing sanctions on Chinese officials over policies in Tibet and Xinjiang.

(with inputs from agencies)

The US State Department has said the recent closing of China's consulate in Houston was to ordered to protect Americans' intellectual property and private information.

The US State Department has said the recent closing of China's consulate in Houston was to ordered to protect Americans' intellectual property and private information. Spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said that under the Vienna Convention states "have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs" of the receiving country. Earlier in the day, Beijing said the United States had ordered China to close its Houston consulate, terming it a "political provocation" that would further harm diplomatic relations. The Chinese Consulate in Houston, opened in 1979, covers eight southern US states -- including Texas and Florida -- and has nearly one million people in the area registered at the consulate. Also read | China says US ordered closure of Houston consulate Furthermore, Ortagus said the US would not tolerate Chinese violations of their "sovereignty and intimidation of our people, just as we have not tolerated the PRC's unfair trade practices, theft of American jobs, and other egregious behavior." "We have directed the closure of PRC Consulate General Houston, in order to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information," she said, without giving any more details. The move comes as tensions soar between the world's two biggest economies on a number of fronts. US President Donald Trump's administration has ramped up pressure on China on a wide range of issues, imposing sanctions on Chinese officials over policies in Tibet and Xinjiang. (with inputs from agencies)

China's Houston consulate closed to 'protect American intellectual property': US

Beijing on Wednesday said the United States had ordered China to close its Houston consulate, terming it a "political provocation" that would further harm diplomatic relations.

The Chinese Consulate in Houston, opened in 1979, covers eight southern US states -- including Texas and Florida -- and has nearly one million people in the area registered at the consulate.

"China urges the US to immediately withdraw its wrong decision, or China will definitely take a proper and necessary response,"&nbsp;said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.

Wenbin said they were told on Tuesday the consulate would have to close.

"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," Wang said.

He added that China "strongly condemns" the "outrageous and unjustified move which will sabotage China-US relations."

Firefighters and police were reportedly called to the consulate building on Tuesday evening on reports that documents were being burned in the building’s courtyard.

The move comes as tensions soar between the world's two biggest economies on a number of fronts.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump's administration has ramped up pressure on China on a wide range of issues, imposing sanctions on Chinese officials over policies in Tibet and Xinjiang.

The US has also downgraded relations with Hong Kong after China implemented a new security law which it says is in violation of its promises of autonomy for the territory.

Beijing on Wednesday said the United States had ordered China to close its Houston consulate, terming it a "political provocation" that would further harm diplomatic relations.

Beijing on Wednesday said the United States had ordered China to close its Houston consulate, terming it a "political provocation" that would further harm diplomatic relations. The Chinese Consulate in Houston, opened in 1979, covers eight southern US states -- including Texas and Florida -- and has nearly one million people in the area registered at the consulate. "China urges the US to immediately withdraw its wrong decision, or China will definitely take a proper and necessary response," said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin. Wenbin said they were told on Tuesday the consulate would have to close. "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," Wang said. He added that China "strongly condemns" the "outrageous and unjustified move which will sabotage China-US relations." Firefighters and police were reportedly called to the consulate building on Tuesday evening on reports that documents were being burned in the building’s courtyard. The move comes as tensions soar between the world's two biggest economies on a number of fronts. US President Donald Trump's administration has ramped up pressure on China on a wide range of issues, imposing sanctions on Chinese officials over policies in Tibet and Xinjiang. The US has also downgraded relations with Hong Kong after China implemented a new security law which it says is in violation of its promises of autonomy for the territory.

China says US ordered closure of Houston consulate

New details regarding the funeral memorial of George Floyd, who got died in a ''homicide'' in a police brutality in Minneapolis, has been announced.

His funeral will be held June 9 in Houston, where Floyd grew up, a family attorney said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/official-autopsy-reveals-floyds-homicide-caused-by-neck-compression-302503" hreflang="en">Official autopsy reveals Floyd's 'homicide' caused by 'neck compression'</a>

A memorial service will be held in Minneapolis this Thursday from 1 pm. to 3 pm., according to Ben Crump.

The&nbsp;Fort Bend Memorial Planning Center that has been tasked with putting together funeral services for Floyd, said his family had only one request that the funeral be a ''grand experience.''

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unrest-in-washington-a-total-disgrace-mobilizing-heavily-armed-military-to-stop-protests-trump-302497" hreflang="en">Trump says he is mobilizing 'heavily armed' military to stop protests</a>

Videos from the May 25 incident&nbsp;show police officer Derek Chauvin, since fired, pressing his knee of Floyd's neck, and other officers kneeling on his back.

Chauvin has been with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The other three officers involved in the incident have not been arrested.

New details regarding the funeral memorial of George Floyd, who got died in a ''homicide'' in a police brutality in Minneapolis, has been announced. His funeral will be held June 9 in Houston, where Floyd grew up, a family attorney said.

New details regarding the funeral memorial of George Floyd, who got died in a ''homicide'' in a police brutality in Minneapolis, has been announced. His funeral will be held June 9 in Houston, where Floyd grew up, a family attorney said. Also read: Official autopsy reveals Floyd's 'homicide' caused by 'neck compression' A memorial service will be held in Minneapolis this Thursday from 1 pm. to 3 pm., according to Ben Crump. The Fort Bend Memorial Planning Center that has been tasked with putting together funeral services for Floyd, said his family had only one request that the funeral be a ''grand experience.'' Also read:Trump says he is mobilizing 'heavily armed' military to stop protests Videos from the May 25 incident show police officer Derek Chauvin, since fired, pressing his knee of Floyd's neck, and other officers kneeling on his back. Chauvin has been with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The other three officers involved in the incident have not been arrested.

New details of George Floyd's funeral memorial announced

Shortly after the World Health Organization (WHO) called the coronavirus outbreak a "pandemic", US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that his country has suspended all travel from Europe for 30 days due to the deadly virus.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Washington, D.C declares emergency

NASA on Friday celebrated its latest class of graduating astronauts at a public ceremony in Houston, honouring a diverse and gender-balanced group now qualified for spaceflight missions including America's return to the Moon and eventual journey to Mars.

After completing more than two years of basic training, the six women and seven men were chosen from a record-breaking 18,000 applicants and represent a wide variety of backgrounds and specialities, from pilots to scientists, engineers and doctors.

The group included two candidates from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), which has participated in a joint training program with the United States since 1983.

"They are the best of the best: They are highly qualified and very diverse, and they represent all of America," said NASA Administrator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boeing-starliner-returning-to-earth-early-after-mission-failure-269557">Jim Bridenstine</a>.&nbsp;

The class included five people of colour, including the first Iranian-American astronaut, Jasmin Moghbeli, who flew helicopter combat missions in Afghanistan and holds an engineering degree from MIT, and geologist Jessica Watkins, who joins only a handful of black women to complete the program.

The group, known as the "Turtles," wore blue flight jumpsuits and took turns approaching the podium to receive their silver astronaut pins, as their fellow classmates paid tribute to their character in the first-ever public graduation ceremony.

The tradition of handing out pins dates back to the Mercury 7 astronauts who were selected in 1959, with participants receiving their gold pins once they complete their first spaceflights.

After being selected in 2017, the class completed training in spacewalking at NASA's underwater Neutral Buoyancy Lab, robotics, the systems of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-launches-third-batch-of-mini-satellites-into-orbit-272623">International Space Station</a> and piloting the T-38 training jet, plus Russian language lessons.

They are the first to graduate since NASA announced the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-plans-to-send-water-hunting-robot-to-moon-surface-in-2022-258216">Artemis program</a> to return to the Moon by 2024, this time on its south pole, as the United States plans to place the next man and first woman on lunar soil and set up an orbital space station.

Part of the group's training, therefore, included studying the building blocks of that program, which are still being developed: the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/glitch-delays-european-cheops-satellite-launch-268717">Space Launch System</a> rocket, the Orion crew capsule and the gateway space station.

But NASA has already said that the crew of the first return Moon mission, Artemis 3, will be selected from previous graduates.

Astronauts play an active role in the development of spacecraft, and the current group will eventually join the ranks of the approximately 500 people in history who have ventured into space.

The 11 US astronauts bring the total number of NASA's corps up to 48.

Their diversity stands in contrast to the early years of space exploration, long dominated by white men (including all 12 people who have walked on the Moon) until Sally Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983 and Guion Bluford the first black astronaut the same year.

It also includes Indian-American Raja Chari, an Air Force colonel and aeronautical engineer;&nbsp;Frank Rubio, a medical doctor and Blackhawk pilot; and Jonny Kim, a decorated Navy SEAL and emergency physician, who holds both a doctorate in medicine from Harvard and a mathematics degree.

"When I heard about possibly being a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/world-to-witness-2020s-first-lunar-eclipse-today-273350">NASA</a> astronaut I thought that was a platform like no other where I could leave a huge impact on the next generation and also contribute to our nation's space exploration," Kim told reporters.

Watkins praised what she called NASA's emphasis on diversity.

"I think cultural and social change can be slow, even when it's trending in the right direction," she said.

The CSA's newest astronauts are Joshua Kutryk,&nbsp;a Royal Canadian Air Force lieutenant colonel, and Jennifer Sidey-Gibbons who holds a doctorate in engineering from the University of Cambridge where she was working as an assistant professor in combustion in the Department of Engineering.

Asked about the difficulties she faced in her career, Moghbeli said some had questioned her choices when she decided to join the military after graduating from MIT.

"In a post-September 11 world, did my parents think I was crazy? Yes, I'm pretty sure they did," she said but added that her family then gave her their full support.

"It's because of that that I'm here today, and I think everyone feels similarly, but -- that being said -- there will always be people out there that doubt.

"When I was a sixth-grader and said I was going to become an astronaut, do you think everyone was like, 'Yep, she's going to become an astronaut'? Probably not."&nbsp;

NASA on Friday celebrated its latest class of graduating astronauts at a public ceremony in Houston, honouring a diverse and gender-balanced group now qualified for spaceflight missions including America's return to the Moon and eventual journey to Mars.

NASA on Friday celebrated its latest class of graduating astronauts at a public ceremony in Houston, honouring a diverse and gender-balanced group now qualified for spaceflight missions including America's return to the Moon and eventual journey to Mars. After completing more than two years of basic training, the six women and seven men were chosen from a record-breaking 18,000 applicants and represent a wide variety of backgrounds and specialities, from pilots to scientists, engineers and doctors. The group included two candidates from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), which has participated in a joint training program with the United States since 1983. "They are the best of the best: They are highly qualified and very diverse, and they represent all of America," said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. The class included five people of colour, including the first Iranian-American astronaut, Jasmin Moghbeli, who flew helicopter combat missions in Afghanistan and holds an engineering degree from MIT, and geologist Jessica Watkins, who joins only a handful of black women to complete the program. The group, known as the "Turtles," wore blue flight jumpsuits and took turns approaching the podium to receive their silver astronaut pins, as their fellow classmates paid tribute to their character in the first-ever public graduation ceremony. The tradition of handing out pins dates back to the Mercury 7 astronauts who were selected in 1959, with participants receiving their gold pins once they complete their first spaceflights. After being selected in 2017, the class completed training in spacewalking at NASA's underwater Neutral Buoyancy Lab, robotics, the systems of the International Space Station and piloting the T-38 training jet, plus Russian language lessons. They are the first to graduate since NASA announced the Artemis program to return to the Moon by 2024, this time on its south pole, as the United States plans to place the next man and first woman on lunar soil and set up an orbital space station. Part of the group's training, therefore, included studying the building blocks of that program, which are still being developed: the Space Launch System rocket, the Orion crew capsule and the gateway space station. But NASA has already said that the crew of the first return Moon mission, Artemis 3, will be selected from previous graduates. Astronauts play an active role in the development of spacecraft, and the current group will eventually join the ranks of the approximately 500 people in history who have ventured into space. The 11 US astronauts bring the total number of NASA's corps up to 48. Their diversity stands in contrast to the early years of space exploration, long dominated by white men (including all 12 people who have walked on the Moon) until Sally Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983 and Guion Bluford the first black astronaut the same year. It also includes Indian-American Raja Chari, an Air Force colonel and aeronautical engineer; Frank Rubio, a medical doctor and Blackhawk pilot; and Jonny Kim, a decorated Navy SEAL and emergency physician, who holds both a doctorate in medicine from Harvard and a mathematics degree. "When I heard about possibly being a NASA astronaut I thought that was a platform like no other where I could leave a huge impact on the next generation and also contribute to our nation's space exploration," Kim told reporters. Watkins praised what she called NASA's emphasis on diversity. "I think cultural and social change can be slow, even when it's trending in the right direction," she said. The CSA's newest astronauts are Joshua Kutryk, a Royal Canadian Air Force lieutenant colonel, and Jennifer Sidey-Gibbons who holds a doctorate in engineering from the University of Cambridge where she was working as an assistant professor in combustion in the Department of Engineering. Asked about the difficulties she faced in her career, Moghbeli said some had questioned her choices when she decided to join the military after graduating from MIT. "In a post-September 11 world, did my parents think I was crazy? Yes, I'm pretty sure they did," she said but added that her family then gave her their full support. "It's because of that that I'm here today, and I think everyone feels similarly, but -- that being said -- there will always be people out there that doubt. "When I was a sixth-grader and said I was going to become an astronaut, do you think everyone was like, 'Yep, she's going to become an astronaut'? Probably not."

Eyeing Moon, NASA hosts first public astronaut graduation ceremony

The Washington Nationals completed one of the most shocking championship runs in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/baseball-nationals-beat-astros-to-force-world-series-game-seven-showdown-258744">Major League Baseball</a> history Wednesday by defeating Houston 6-2 to capture the US capital's first World Series title since 1924.

Howie Kendrick and Anthony Rendon blasted home runs and the Nationals rallied from two runs down after six innnings in the winner-take-all showdown to claim the best-of-seven final 4-3.

Astros starting pitcher Zack Greinke mystified the Nationals for 6 1/3 innings, allowing only one hit while Yuli Gurriel hit a solo homer and scored on a Carlos Correa single to give Houston a 2-0 lead.

Houston native Rendon, however, smashed a solo homer over the left-field wall off a Greinke changeup in the seventh, sending him to the showers after walking Juan Soto.

Kendrick followed by smacking a fastball from Astros reliever Will Harris off the right-field foul pole for a two-run homer that put the Nats ahead to stay.

Washington added an insurance run in the eighth when Adam Eaton walked, stole second and scored on a Soto single.

In the ninth,&nbsp;Eaton singled with the bases loaded to drive in two more runs and all-but seal Houston's fate.

Patrick Corbin threw three shutout innings and allowed only two hits in relief of Max Scherzer and Daniel Hudson ran down the Astros in order in the ninth to complete the victory.

&nbsp;

The Washington Nationals completed one of the most shocking championship runs in Major League Baseball history Wednesday by defeating Houston 6-2 to capture the US capital's first World Series title since 1924.

The Washington Nationals completed one of the most shocking championship runs in Major League Baseball history Wednesday by defeating Houston 6-2 to capture the US capital's first World Series title since 1924. Howie Kendrick and Anthony Rendon blasted home runs and the Nationals rallied from two runs down after six innnings in the winner-take-all showdown to claim the best-of-seven final 4-3. Astros starting pitcher Zack Greinke mystified the Nationals for 6 1/3 innings, allowing only one hit while Yuli Gurriel hit a solo homer and scored on a Carlos Correa single to give Houston a 2-0 lead. Houston native Rendon, however, smashed a solo homer over the left-field wall off a Greinke changeup in the seventh, sending him to the showers after walking Juan Soto. Kendrick followed by smacking a fastball from Astros reliever Will Harris off the right-field foul pole for a two-run homer that put the Nats ahead to stay. Washington added an insurance run in the eighth when Adam Eaton walked, stole second and scored on a Soto single. In the ninth, Eaton singled with the bases loaded to drive in two more runs and all-but seal Houston's fate. Patrick Corbin threw three shutout innings and allowed only two hits in relief of Max Scherzer and Daniel Hudson ran down the Astros in order in the ninth to complete the victory.

Baseball: Washington Nationals defeat Houston to win World Series

Stephen Strasburg baffled Houston's batters and Anthony Rendon drove in five runs to power the Washington Nationals over the Astros 7-2 Tuesday, forcing a one-game winner-take-all showdown for the 115th World Series championship.

Washington pulled level at 3-3 in Major League Baseball's best-of-seven final, setting up a seventh game Wednesday to decide the title.

Strasburg allowed two runs on five hits over 8 1/3 masterful innings while walking two and striking out seven Houston batters, improving to 5-0 in the playoffs after an 18-6 season.

"Big pitchers do what he did," said Nationals manager Dave Martinez. "I told him, 'You were tremendous. You picked us up and because of you, we're going to game seven'," added Martinez, who was ejected late on after a disputed call.

Washington's Juan Soto and Adam Eaton blasted solo home runs in the fifth inning and Houston native Rendon hit a two-run homer in the seventh and a two-run double in the ninth.

"Rendon stepped up big," Martinez said.

That was enough run production for the Nationals thanks to Strasburg mystifying the Houston hitters who had produced 19 runs over the prior three games.

"I saw an incredible pitcher," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "He was really good. We didn't put a lot of stress on him."

Strasburg had been tipping his pitches to Houston hitters in the first inning when Alex Bregman homered off him, but Martinez solved the problem.

"I said, 'You're tipping you're pitching. We need to fix it,'" Martinez said. "After that, he was lights out."

Strasburg began to wiggle his glove to throw the Astros off.

"Started shaking my glove so they didn't know what I was throwing. Obviously, they look for certain things," Strasburg said. "It's something that has burned me in the past and they burned me there in the first.

"It's just a part of the game. You've got to do your best to stay consistent in your delivery on each pitch."

Martinez became the first World Series manager ejected since Atlanta's Bobby Cox in 1996, needing to be restrained from angrily confronting umpires after a controversial call in the seventh inning.

"I'm not going to criticize the umpires about anything," Martinez said. "I don't really want to make this about me and take away from what the boys did. It was a judgement call. I don't want to make it about one play."

The Nationals, who improved to 4-0 in playoff elimination games this month, will start three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer in game seven after neck spasms kept him out of game five. Fellow right-hander Zack Greinke will start for Houston.

"We have a great opportunity to play a game seven in the World Series in our ballpark," Hinch said.

But a World Series in which Houston was one of the heaviest favorites in years has turned into a historical epic, the first World Series with road teams winning the first six games.

"It's weird," Martinez said. "You can't explain it."

The Astros will try for their second title in three seasons while the Nationals seek the first crown in their franchise's 50-year history.

It would also be the first World Series title for Washington since 1924.

Houston's Justin Verlander, who won a season-best 21 games, surrendered three runs on five hits to suffer the loss and remain winless in seven career World Series starts, the most of any pitcher without a win. His 0-6 record is the all-time worst World Series mark.

Washington clung to a 3-2 lead in the seventh when controversy struck.

Nationals shortstop Trea Turner was called out for interference on first baseman Yuli Gurriel and the decision was upheld after a 4 1/2-minute video review. It would cost Washington a run when Rendon smashed a homer to left field.

After the inning, Martinez angrily moved toward the umpires, bench coach Chip Hale restraining him. But Martinez yelled until home plate umpire Sam Holbrook ejected him, leaving Hale to take the team to the finish.

Rendon's two-run homer put Washington ahead 5-2 and his two-run double in the ninth added more insurance runs.

Stephen Strasburg baffled Houston's batters and Anthony Rendon drove in five runs to power the Washington Nationals over the Astros 7-2 Tuesday, forcing a one-game winner-take-all showdown for the 115th World Series championship.

Stephen Strasburg baffled Houston's batters and Anthony Rendon drove in five runs to power the Washington Nationals over the Astros 7-2 Tuesday, forcing a one-game winner-take-all showdown for the 115th World Series championship. Washington pulled level at 3-3 in Major League Baseball's best-of-seven final, setting up a seventh game Wednesday to decide the title. Strasburg allowed two runs on five hits over 8 1/3 masterful innings while walking two and striking out seven Houston batters, improving to 5-0 in the playoffs after an 18-6 season. "Big pitchers do what he did," said Nationals manager Dave Martinez. "I told him, 'You were tremendous. You picked us up and because of you, we're going to game seven'," added Martinez, who was ejected late on after a disputed call. Washington's Juan Soto and Adam Eaton blasted solo home runs in the fifth inning and Houston native Rendon hit a two-run homer in the seventh and a two-run double in the ninth. "Rendon stepped up big," Martinez said. That was enough run production for the Nationals thanks to Strasburg mystifying the Houston hitters who had produced 19 runs over the prior three games. "I saw an incredible pitcher," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "He was really good. We didn't put a lot of stress on him." Strasburg had been tipping his pitches to Houston hitters in the first inning when Alex Bregman homered off him, but Martinez solved the problem. "I said, 'You're tipping you're pitching. We need to fix it,'" Martinez said. "After that, he was lights out." Strasburg began to wiggle his glove to throw the Astros off. "Started shaking my glove so they didn't know what I was throwing. Obviously, they look for certain things," Strasburg said. "It's something that has burned me in the past and they burned me there in the first. "It's just a part of the game. You've got to do your best to stay consistent in your delivery on each pitch." Martinez became the first World Series manager ejected since Atlanta's Bobby Cox in 1996, needing to be restrained from angrily confronting umpires after a controversial call in the seventh inning. "I'm not going to criticize the umpires about anything," Martinez said. "I don't really want to make this about me and take away from what the boys did. It was a judgement call. I don't want to make it about one play." The Nationals, who improved to 4-0 in playoff elimination games this month, will start three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer in game seven after neck spasms kept him out of game five. Fellow right-hander Zack Greinke will start for Houston. "We have a great opportunity to play a game seven in the World Series in our ballpark," Hinch said. But a World Series in which Houston was one of the heaviest favorites in years has turned into a historical epic, the first World Series with road teams winning the first six games. "It's weird," Martinez said. "You can't explain it." The Astros will try for their second title in three seasons while the Nationals seek the first crown in their franchise's 50-year history. It would also be the first World Series title for Washington since 1924. Houston's Justin Verlander, who won a season-best 21 games, surrendered three runs on five hits to suffer the loss and remain winless in seven career World Series starts, the most of any pitcher without a win. His 0-6 record is the all-time worst World Series mark. Washington clung to a 3-2 lead in the seventh when controversy struck. Nationals shortstop Trea Turner was called out for interference on first baseman Yuli Gurriel and the decision was upheld after a 4 1/2-minute video review. It would cost Washington a run when Rendon smashed a homer to left field. After the inning, Martinez angrily moved toward the umpires, bench coach Chip Hale restraining him. But Martinez yelled until home plate umpire Sam Holbrook ejected him, leaving Hale to take the team to the finish. Rendon's two-run homer put Washington ahead 5-2 and his two-run double in the ninth added more insurance runs.

US baseball: Nationals beat Astros to force World Series showdown

America's first Sikh police officer on Friday (local time) was shot dead in northwest Harris County in Houston. Watch this video to know more.

America's first Sikh police officer fatally shot dead in Houston, Texas

Sikh law-enforcement officer has been fatally shot multiple times during a traffic stop in the US state of Texas, a media report said on Saturday.

First US Sikh cop shot dead in Texas

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/5-key-takeaways-pm-modi-trump-meeting-at-howdy-modi-event-in-houston-251337">Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump</a> share a great synergy and their second meeting within a span of two days will take the India-US relations to greater heights, said Consul General of India in New York, Sandeep Chakravarty, on Tuesday.

"There is a great deal of synergy between the two leaders. They talk on the phone, meet on sidelines, they met in Houston the day before. Our relationship is on a continuous climb. They are going to meet again in a span of two days which shows that they value each other's friendship and relationship and they will take the relationship ahead," Chakravarty told ANI here.

He also expressed hope that the meeting between Modi and Trump will help in resolving the trade issues between the two countries.

"The trade issue is one of the focal points of the current US administration. They're looking at it with renewed vision. I don't see why the US administration won't look closely at trade with India. The India-US trade relationship is also growing," said Chakravarty.

Calling the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-howdy-modi-trump-and-pm-modi-could-sign-trade-deal-251028">US-India relationship</a> most important in the world, he said that the mutual bond has been benefiting both the countries.

"This is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. Several US leaders also accept this and have said publicly. For the US, I believe, this the most transformed relationship. For India, the relations have gone from nothing to where it is today in the last 20 years. The trade between India and the US stood at USD 5 billion in 2000, and today, it stands at almost USD 150 billion," Chakravarty said.

He said that Sunday's "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/diversity-foundation-of-our-vibrant-democracy-says-pm-modi-at-howdy-modi-251322">Howdy, Modi</a>" event in Houston has sent an "amazing" message across the world and hoped that it would help take the US-India relationship to new heights.

"The Houston event has taken the India-US relations to a new height. The message which has gone across India and the world is amazing," Chakravarty said, adding that the relationship is growing in every field including people to people contact, trade, science and technology and space.

Modi and Trump jointly addressed the 'Howdy, Modi!'&nbsp;event in Houston, Texas on Sunday.

The bonhomie between the two leaders was in full display at the event where they echoed similar sentiments on several issues including "radical Islamic terrorism", trade and defence.

The two leaders are scheduled to meet again on Tuesday afternoon in New York.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump share a great synergy and their second meeting within a span of two days will take the India-US relations to greater heights, said Consul General of India in New York, Sandeep Chakravarty, on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump share a great synergy and their second meeting within a span of two days will take the India-US relations to greater heights, said Consul General of India in New York, Sandeep Chakravarty, on Tuesday. "There is a great deal of synergy between the two leaders. They talk on the phone, meet on sidelines, they met in Houston the day before. Our relationship is on a continuous climb. They are going to meet again in a span of two days which shows that they value each other's friendship and relationship and they will take the relationship ahead," Chakravarty told ANI here. He also expressed hope that the meeting between Modi and Trump will help in resolving the trade issues between the two countries. "The trade issue is one of the focal points of the current US administration. They're looking at it with renewed vision. I don't see why the US administration won't look closely at trade with India. The India-US trade relationship is also growing," said Chakravarty. Calling the US-India relationship most important in the world, he said that the mutual bond has been benefiting both the countries. "This is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. Several US leaders also accept this and have said publicly. For the US, I believe, this the most transformed relationship. For India, the relations have gone from nothing to where it is today in the last 20 years. The trade between India and the US stood at USD 5 billion in 2000, and today, it stands at almost USD 150 billion," Chakravarty said. He said that Sunday's "Howdy, Modi" event in Houston has sent an "amazing" message across the world and hoped that it would help take the US-India relationship to new heights. "The Houston event has taken the India-US relations to a new height. The message which has gone across India and the world is amazing," Chakravarty said, adding that the relationship is growing in every field including people to people contact, trade, science and technology and space. Modi and Trump jointly addressed the 'Howdy, Modi!' event in Houston, Texas on Sunday. The bonhomie between the two leaders was in full display at the event where they echoed similar sentiments on several issues including "radical Islamic terrorism", trade and defence. The two leaders are scheduled to meet again on Tuesday afternoon in New York.

India-US share 'most important bilateral relationship in the world': Consul General of India in New York

48 hours after Mega 'Howdy Modi' event. Watch video to know more

48 hours after Mega 'Howdy Modi' event

Watch what Indian-Americans has to say about Prime Minister Modi's Houston event.

Modi fever grips Indian-Americans

The PMO India on Monday tweeted a video showing some memorable moments from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/key-highlights-of-pm-modis-speech-at-houstons-howdy-modi-event-251334">''Howdy, Modi'' event in Houston</a>, where <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/prime-minister-narendra-modi-arrives-in-new-york-to-attend-un-climate-action-summit-251367">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> and US President Donald Trump are seen interacting with a group of youngsters.

''Memorable moments from #HowdyModi when PM @narendramodi and @POTUS interacted with a group of youngsters,'' PMO tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Memorable moments from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HowdyModi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HowdyModi</a> when PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> interacted with a group of youngsters. <a href="https://t.co/8FFIqCDt41">pic.twitter.com/8FFIqCDt41</a>
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/1175977557226926080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

In the video, the two leaders are seen walking together and having a brief interaction with the young performers who participated in the event.

A young boy then requested the US president for a selfie, for which Trump agrees and pose with PM Modi for the picture.

The video immediately went viral on social media, as the boy was lucky enough to get a picture with both the world leaders.

Soon the users started calling him as ''lucky boy'' on the Twitter.

''So lucky boy to meet Narendra Modi nd @realDonaldTrump,'' wrote a user.

The prime minister on Sunday addressed the Indian diaspora in Houston's "Howdy, Modi" event in the presence of US President Donald Trump.

The PMO India on Monday tweeted a video showing some memorable moments from ''Howdy, Modi'' event in Houston, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump are seen interacting with a group of youngsters.

The PMO India on Monday tweeted a video showing some memorable moments from ''Howdy, Modi'' event in Houston, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump are seen interacting with a group of youngsters. ''Memorable moments from #HowdyModi when PM @narendramodi and @POTUS interacted with a group of youngsters,'' PMO tweeted. Memorable moments from #HowdyModi when PM @narendramodi and @POTUS interacted with a group of youngsters. pic.twitter.com/8FFIqCDt41 — PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 23, 2019 × In the video, the two leaders are seen walking together and having a brief interaction with the young performers who participated in the event. A young boy then requested the US president for a selfie, for which Trump agrees and pose with PM Modi for the picture. The video immediately went viral on social media, as the boy was lucky enough to get a picture with both the world leaders. Soon the users started calling him as ''lucky boy'' on the Twitter. ''So lucky boy to meet Narendra Modi nd @realDonaldTrump,'' wrote a user. The prime minister on Sunday addressed the Indian diaspora in Houston's "Howdy, Modi" event in the presence of US President Donald Trump.

'Howdy, Modi' in Houston: Young boy clicks selfie with PM Modi, US President Donald trump

During the course of his speech, Prime Minister Modi referred to both 9/11 as well as the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He suggested that the perpetrators of both the attacks came from Pakistan and the whole world is aware of the fact. Watch this video to know more.

Culprits of 9/11 and 26/11 found at the same place: PM Modi's scathing attack on Pakistan

Indian PM Modi Has Engaged & Rejuvenated Indian Diaspora Across The World Since Coming To Power In 2014

Gravitas: Modi rejuvenates the Indian Diaspora worldwide

The Weather May Have Slowed Things Down. But Organisers Of 'Howdy Modi' Remain Optimistic.

Gravitas: Howdy Modi: WION reports from Houston

Houston Gears Up To Host Indian Prime Minister Modi

Gravitas: Howdy Modi: Two days to Go

The Union ministers on Sunday applauded <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/howdy-modi-in-houston-indian-parliamentarians-get-standing-ovation-for-scrapping-article-370-251364">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> for the ''Howdy, Modi'' event in Houston.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the prime minister is working tirelessly to achieve a New India and that once again he showed his ability to make a mark at the global stage with his leadership and statesmanship.&nbsp;

''The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has once again shown his ability to make a mark at the global stage with his leadership and statesmanship. Today’s event at Huston was the reaffirmation of his charisma, his appeal and the impact he has around the world, Singh tweeted.

''Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi wants to take India to newer heights in the 21st century. He is working tirelessly to achieve a New India. The manner in which he is moving forward I am confident that this dream would become a reality in the coming decade,'' Singher further added.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Prime Minister Shri <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> wants to take India to newer heights in the 21st century. He is working tirelessly to achieve a New India. 
 
The manner in which he is moving forward I am confident that this dream would become a reality in the coming decade.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1175844928494063616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was all praise for PM Modi.

''Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused on India’s aspirations, India’s safety, India’s determination to well govern itself and credited all in our Parliament for the farewell given to #Article370. It was a speech for a NewIndia,'' Sitharaman tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> focused on India’s aspirations, India’s safety, India’s determination to well govern itself and credited all in our Parliament for the farewell given to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Article370?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Article370</a>. It was a speech for a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewIndia</a>.
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) <a href="https://twitter.com/nsitharaman/status/1175846948265283585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The prime minister on Sunday addressed the Indian diaspora in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/key-highlights-of-pm-modis-speech-at-houstons-howdy-modi-event-251334">Houston's "Howdy, Modi" event</a> in the presence of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/key-highlights-of-pm-modis-speech-at-houstons-howdy-modi-event-251334">US President Donald Trump</a>.

Often hailed as a people's leader, PM Modi spoke about various issues including sanitation, data affordability, ease of business and highlighted the progress made during his tenure.

PM Modi to meet President Trump again in New York

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pm-modi-to-meet-president-trump-again-in-new-york-251369/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Prime Minister said India was striving to become a 5 trillion dollar economy and the government was laying thrust on boosting infrastructure, investment and exports.

The Union ministers on Sunday applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the ''Howdy, Modi'' event in Houston. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the prime minister is working tirelessly to achieve a New India and that once again he showed his ability to make a mark at the global stage with his leadership and statesmanship.

The Union ministers on Sunday applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the ''Howdy, Modi'' event in Houston. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the prime minister is working tirelessly to achieve a New India and that once again he showed his ability to make a mark at the global stage with his leadership and statesmanship. ''The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has once again shown his ability to make a mark at the global stage with his leadership and statesmanship. Today’s event at Huston was the reaffirmation of his charisma, his appeal and the impact he has around the world, Singh tweeted. ''Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi wants to take India to newer heights in the 21st century. He is working tirelessly to achieve a New India. The manner in which he is moving forward I am confident that this dream would become a reality in the coming decade,'' Singher further added. Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi wants to take India to newer heights in the 21st century. He is working tirelessly to achieve a New India. The manner in which he is moving forward I am confident that this dream would become a reality in the coming decade. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 22, 2019 × Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was all praise for PM Modi. ''Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused on India’s aspirations, India’s safety, India’s determination to well govern itself and credited all in our Parliament for the farewell given to #Article370. It was a speech for a NewIndia,'' Sitharaman tweeted. @PMOIndia @narendramodi focused on India’s aspirations, India’s safety, India’s determination to well govern itself and credited all in our Parliament for the farewell given to #Article370. It was a speech for a #NewIndia. — Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) September 22, 2019 × The prime minister on Sunday addressed the Indian diaspora in Houston's "Howdy, Modi" event in the presence of US President Donald Trump. Often hailed as a people's leader, PM Modi spoke about various issues including sanitation, data affordability, ease of business and highlighted the progress made during his tenure. PM Modi to meet President Trump again in New York The Prime Minister said India was striving to become a 5 trillion dollar economy and the government was laying thrust on boosting infrastructure, investment and exports.

Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman applaud PM Modi's speech at 'Howdy, Modi' event

From US President Donald Trump at the 'Howdy, Modi!' event in Houston stressed on safe borders and said border security is vital to America as well as India. He also came down heavily on 'radical Islamic terrorism' that is 'posing a global challenge'. Watch this video to know more.

Committed to fight radical Islamic terror: Donald Trump at 'Howdy, Modi' event

Watch the ball by ball account from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 27th September, LIVE from New York only on WION.

Watch the ball by ball account from the UNGA on September 27 | LIVE from New York

PM Modi to meet President Trump again in New York. Watch this video to know more.

PM Modi to meet President Trump again in New York

Referring to Trump's slogan "make America great again", Prime Minister Modi said that the US President has achieved much for the United States. He added that India has connected well with President Trump and endorsed the latter by saying "Abki baar, Trump Sakar". Watch this video to know more.

US President has achieved much for the United States: PM Modi at 'Howdy, Modi' event

Addressing the mega event, Trump said that India has never invested in the United States like this before, assuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again that America is looking forward to work with India to make the world's two largest democracies prosperous than ever before. Watch this video to know more.

India has never invested in the United States like this before: President Trump at 'Howdy, Modi' event

houston

Houston, News on Houston, stories on Houston, articles on Houston, Houston stories at Wion, Houston news, Houston latest news