Thread by @John_Hudson

China vows to retaliate after U.S. orders closure its consulate in Houston. By ⁦@annafifield⁩ washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pac…

“China strongly condemns this outrageous and unjustified move to sabotage China-U.S. relations. The Chinese side urges the U.S. side to immediately retract this wrong decision,” Chinese Fm spox said. “Otherwise the Chinese side will make a legitimate and necessary response.”

🚨 New from @statedeptspox: “We have directed the closure of PRC Consulate General Houston, in order to protect American intellectual property and American’s private information.” 1/

More from @statedeptspox: The US “will not tolerate the PRC’s violations of our sovereignty and intimidation of our people, just as we have not tolerated the PRC’s unfair trade practices, theft of American jobs, and other egregious behavior.” 2/

.@statedeptspox: “President Trump insists on fairness and reciprocity in U.S.-China relations.” 3/

.@statedeptspox: “The Vienna Convention states diplomats must “respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State” and “have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State.”

The US closure of the Chinese consulate represents a major escalation and an entirely new front in the battle between the world’s two biggest economies. 5/

Now the question is how will China retaliate: the United States has consulates in Shenyang, Shanghai, Wuhan, Chengdu and Guangzhou.

One consideration here: the United States evacuated its consulate in Wuhan in January. Closing it and then ordering closure of Houston could be seen by the US as a one-for-one move. But far from clear if China will see it that way

New: a State Department spokesperson offers comment on consulate decision: “The People’s Republic of China has engaged for years in massive illegal spying and influence operations throughout the United States against U.S. government officials and American citizens...”

“These activities have increased markedly in scale and scope over the past few years...”

“As detailed by Pompeo, FBI Director Wray, and Attorney General Barr in public remarks, PRC officials have interfered in our domestic politics, stolen U.S. intellectual property, coerced our business leaders, threatened families of Chinese Americans residing in China, and more.”