US Officials Break into Chinese Consulate in Houston After Staff Evicted

By Staff, Agencies

US officials have "taken over" the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas, after the staff was evicted, the Houston Chronicle reported on Friday.

According to the newspaper, a group of officials, including a man allegedly working at the State Department, pried the consulate's small back door open after they failed to get in through the other three entrances. It added that there were security men wearing shirts with "State Department" labels on them.

The incident took place just 40 minutes after the eviction deadline ordered by US President Donald Trump, citing the need to "protect American intellectual property" from China, who the White House accused of espionage activities.

Prior to that, police were seen setting up barricades around the consulate.

On Wednesday, the US State Department confirmed to Sputnik that it had ordered China to close its consulate in Houston in two days over accusations it was engaged in massive illegal spying and influence operations in the United States.

China has denied the accusations and criticized the United States for various violations of international law. It also said the United States has been inciting hatred toward Chinese nationals, resulting in multiple threats made to its embassy in Washington.

In response, China's Foreign Ministry announced that it had ordered the closure of the US Consulate-General in the city of Chengdu.