BEIJING: Washington has asked China to shut down its consulate in Houston, Beijing said on Wednesday, terming it it a "political provocation".
The move comes as tensions soar between the world's two biggest economies on a number of fronts, including a controversial national security law in semi-autonomous Hong Kong.
"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, adding that they were told Tuesday that 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."
According to local media in Houston, firefighters and police were called to the consulate building on Tuesday evening on reports that documents were being burned in the building's courtyard.
The Twitter feed of the Houston police force said smoke was observed, but officers "were not granted access to enter the building"
Death toll from India's worst disaster in decades expected to climb above 288 as search for missing continues
Chinese Defense Minister Li indirectly criticised the United States for fueling an arms race and interfering in other...
Legislation includes spending caps for next two years and incorporates conservative measures such as reclaiming...
Following his party's call to defy the law, Ousmane Sonko's supporters took to the streets to protest, ignited fires...
Workers at scene shared that concrete was poured too quickly for them to disseminate it, which led to collapse
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also attended President Erdogan's oath-taking ceremony on special invitation from the...
