U.S. gives China 72 hours to shut Houston consulate as spying charges mount

China’s national flag is seen waving at the China Consulate General in Houston, Texas, U.S., July 22, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif

The United States gave China 72 hours to close its consulate in Houston amid accusations of spying, marking a dramatic deterioration in relations between the world’s two biggest economies.

China’s foreign ministry called the move an “unprecedented escalation” and threatened unspecified retaliation. Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the Chinese Embassy in the United States had received “bomb and death threats” because of “smears & hatred” fanned by Washington.