After China consulate's closure in Houston, group of men breaks into building

After US government ordered to close China’s consulate in Houston Texas, a group of men were seen accompanied by US State Department official to forcibly open building’s back door. According to an international media ncy, shortly after US government order that took effect at 4 PM (central time), group was spotted outside consulate including a man who seemed to be State Department’s senior official for foreign missions, Cliff Seagroves. Even though group did t respond to reporters outside building about ir activity, pictures emerged on social media showing men prying open a rear door and going inside. 

Re - China: US Consulate Staff Activities 'inconsistent'

This comes after a senior US government official anunced in a press briefing that even though consulates are base of operations for foreign governments in US, some can be used for exploitation and ‘espion activities’. official also said, “ Houston consulate was also implicated in an investigation of grant fraud at a Texas research institution. Consulate officials were directly involved in communications with researchers and guided m on what information to collect.” However, US government order of closing one of six Chinese missions has been severely criticised by China who reportedly said that “malicious slander” was behind it. 

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said order to close consulate “violates international law and basic rms governing international relations,” and “seriously undermines China-U.S. relations.” He told reporters that “this is breaking bridge of friendship between Chinese and American people”. Meanwhile, according to witnesses of international media ncy, consulate staff h left building after order came into after at 4 PM (central time) after which door was forced open.

Re - Asia Shares Slip As China Orders US Consulate Closed

Singapore man mits being Chinese spy in US

As tensions between US-China have grown more intense with closure of Houston consulate citing fears of espion, a Singaporean man has reportedly pleed guilty to spying for Chinese intelligence in United States. US Department of Justice said in a statement released on July 24 that Jun Wei Yeo, also kwn as Dickson Yeo “entered a plea of guilty today to one count of acting within United States as an illegal nt of a foreign power without first tifying Attorney General”. According to Assistant Attorney General for Justice Department's National Security Division John C. Demers, it is ar instance of Chinese government ‘exploiting openness of US society’.

John C. Demers said, “ Chinese Government uses an array of duplicity to obtain sensitive information from unsuspecting Americans. Yeo was central to one such scheme, using career networking sites and a false consulting firm to lure Americans who might be of interest to Chinese government.  This is yet ar example of Chinese government’s exploitation of openness of American society.”

Re - China Gives 'necessary Response', Orders Shutdown Of US Consulate In Chengdu

Re - After Houston, China May Ask US To Close A Consulate As Countermeasure: Report

(With input from ncies)

Im: AP