China: U.S. Consulate in Chengdu Should Close

In retaliation for the closure of China’s consulate in Houston, the People’s Republic demanded that the United States shut down its consulate in Chengdu. The two major powers are accusing each other of interference in internal affairs.

China promptly responded to the closure of its consulate in Houston (Texas state) and asked the United States to shut down its consulate in Chengdu.

China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement regarding this decision: “This is a legitimate and necessary measure in response to the shameless actions of the United States”.

The statement also said: “The current state of China-U.S. relations is not satisfactory to China, and the United States is responsible for it”.

“Espionage Center”

The United States had demanded that China close its consulate in Houston within 72 hours. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Wednesday (July 22) called this action “political provocation” and threatened retaliation.

Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State, on Thursday described China’s consulate in Houston as a center of espionage operations. Speaking at the Richard Nixon Library in California, Pompeo stated that the consulate in question “has been a center of espionage and theft of intellectual property”.

He added that representatives of the Chinese government interfere in U.S. internal affairs, pressure American business executives, and harass American families of Chinese descent.

First Representative Office on U.S. Soil

China’s consulate in Houston was the first representative office that began operations following the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States in 1979.

The U.S. consulate in Chengdu was opened in 1985. It is reported that approximately 200 employees work at this consulate, of whom 150 are local residents.

Diplomatic relations between China and the United States, which had been tense for some time, have become even more strained due to the passage of Hong Kong’s National Security Law.

Another reason for the deterioration of relations between the two major powers is that recently the United States announced sanctions against some high-ranking Chinese officials over Beijing’s treatment of the Muslim Uyghur people.

Source: DW