In tit for tat, China orders US to close Chengdu consulate

Beijing, July 24

China on Friday ordered the US to close down its consulate in Chengdu in retaliation to Washington’s decision to shut the Chinese mission in Houston, further straining the already tense bilateral ties.

A statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the US Embassy here has been informed of the Chinese government’s decision to withdraw its consent for the establishment and operation of the US Consulate General in Chengdu, the provincial capital of southwestern Sichuan province.

At a regular press conference on Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin accused staff in the Chengdu consulate “of interfering in China’s internal affairs and harming China’s national security interests.” Wang said that closing the US mission in Chengdu was a “legitimate and necessary response” to Washington demanding that the Chinese consulate in Houston be shut. US officials have made similar accusations about Chinese diplomats acting beyond their duties and engaging in espionage related activity.

Earlier, the ministry, in a statement noted that on July 21, the US launched a “unilateral provocation” by abruptly demanding that China close its Consulate General in Houston.

The US move seriously breached international law, the basic norms of international relations, and the terms of the China-US Consular Convention, the foreign ministry statement said. — PTI

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