Daily Mail: Chinese diplomats start burning documents after State Department orders immediate closure of Beijing's consulate in Houston 'to protect American intellectual property'
* The U.S. ordered Wednesday China's consulate in Houston to immediately close
* Those at the consulate were informed of the decision Tuesday night, and soon after diplomats began burning documents in the property's courtyard
* Firefighters responded to the scene of the fire, but were not permitted entry
* The State Department claims it is closing this particular consulate in order to 'protect American intellectual property'
* Acting Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee Marco Rubio claimed, 'China's Houston consulate is a massive spy center.'
* He added that 'forcing it to close is long overdue'
* The move comes amid rising escalations between Beijing and Washington, and China warned the U.S. of 'firm countermeasures'
The U.S. abruptly ordered the closure of China's consulate in Houston, Texas on Tuesday night – leading to Chinese diplomats burning documents and papers in trash cans in the courtyard of the building.
The State Department claims the immediate action is needed to 'protect American intellectual property' and other private information of American citizens.
Republican Senator Marco Rubio, the acting chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, claimed in a tweet Wednesday morning that 'China's Houston consulate is a massive spy center.'
'Forcing it to close is long overdue,' he added.
China strongly condemned the move as the consulate was informed of the decision Tuesday amid a series of recent escalation in tensions between Beijing and Washington.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: China is vowing retaliation .... China vows retaliation after U.S. ordered its Houston consulate closed within 72 hours (USA Today).
Update: The damage was done long ago, even before Trump .... US-China relations: forced closure of Houston consulate could cause lasting damage, observers say (SCMP).
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China vows to retaliate after U.S. orders closure of its consulate in Houston -- Washington Post
Documents burned on the grounds of the Chinese Consulate in Houston -- ABC 13
US orders China to shut consulate in Houston, Texas -- DW
Chinese consulate in Houston ordered to close by US -- BBC
US orders closure of Chinese consulate in Houston -- CNN
US orders China to shut Houston consulate in move Beijing calls 'unprecedented escalation' -- ABC News Online
US abruptly informs Beijing to CLOSE consulate in Houston – Chinese Foreign Ministry -- RT
China threatens retaliation after US orders closure of Houston consulate -- FOX News
