The United States has ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate

Washington has ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas. Beijing has been asked to close the consulate by next Friday. The United States has said the decision was made to protect its "intellectual property." China has called the decision a "political provocation."

The BBC reports that unidentified men set fire to paper in front of the consulate building. The US State Department then announced its decision to close the consulate building.


Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the US decision was "objectionable and unjust."


"We have decided to close the Chinese consulate in Houston to protect the intellectual property of the United States and the personal information of the American people," State Department spokesman Morgan Ortegas said after Wenbin's response. We will not tolerate opaque trade, job theft and arrogant behavior of our citizens. "

Tensions between the United States and China have been rising for some time. The administration of US President Donald Trump has repeatedly questioned China over trade and the origin of the coronavirus. The United States is also angry at China for imposing a controversial new security law in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, local time on Tuesday, the US Department of Justice complained that China is helping hackers to steal the formula for making corona vaccine from laboratories. Charges are being framed against two Chinese nationals. Allegedly, they were spying on US research institutes. In addition, he has received state support for theft.

The Houston Consulate is one of the five Chinese Consulates in the United States. Apart from this, there is a Chinese embassy in Washington DC. However, no specific answer has been found yet as to why only this consulate has been closed.