US asks China to shut Houston consulate: Here's why
What's the story
At a time when the United States and China are locked in a bitter battle over a number of issues, an unusual incident was reported from Houston, Texas. Documents were being burned inside the premises of the Chinese consulate in the city. Following the incident, multiple reports said that the US has ordered Beijing to shut its consulate in Houston by Friday.
What happened
Consulate is in "Chinese territory," fire department unable to enter
Local reports said police got information about a blaze at 3417 Montrose Boulevard, where the Chinese consulate is located, around 8 pm (local time). As per eyewitnesses, papers were being burned at the courtyard in open containers. Since the consulate is considered as "Chinese territory," the fire department was unable to enter the premises till the time of press.
Quote
Senior official said the situation is being monitored
"It appears to be open burning in a container within the courtyard of the Chinese consulate facility. It does not appear to be an unconfined fire but we have not been allowed access. We are standing by and monitoring," an official, Sam Pena, told ABC13.
Twitter Post
Here is a video from the spot
BREAKING: Video shows documents being burned at #China's Consulate in #Houston amid reports the diplomatic mission is being "evicted"
— AS-Source News (@ASB_Breaking) July 22, 2020
pic.twitter.com/9usm7aIWY5
Ties
Of late, President Trump has been condemning China
Of late, China-bashing has taken up a lot of space in US politics, with President Donald Trump leading the attack. He has been furious at Beijing and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, over the handling of coronavirus pandemic. Although the disease emerged in China, it has proved to be much more fatal for US, killing 144,958 people till now and destroying the economy.
What he said
Trump also said China could have stopped coronavirus, but didn't
On Monday, speaking to reporters at the Oval Office, Trump reiterated that coronavirus emerged from China and that the nation could have stopped it but "chose not to." "They stopped it from going into China, but they didn't stop it from going to the rest of the world. It didn't stop it from going to Europe, to us," Trump went on.