The abrupt demand to shut down the consulate is an “unprecedented escalation” of hostilities, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters. He warned that Beijing will retaliate if the US does not reverse its decision.
Wang Wenbin slammed the order to close the consulate as a “political provocation” and “a serious violation of international law.”
China urges the US to immediately revoke this wrong decision. Otherwise, China will make proper and necessary response.
Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of China’s Global Times newspaper, tweeted that Beijing was given 72 hours to vacate the consulate building. “This is a crazy move,” he wrote.
The Chinese spokesperson rejected the recent claim by the US Justice Department that Chinese hackers have tried to steal data on Covid-19 vaccine development. The US must “immediately stop its slander and smearing of China on cyber security issues,” he told the journalists.
US State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said the move against the consulate was made to ensure the protection of American intellectual property and persona data of US citizens.