A security guard stands outside the China Consulate General in Houston, Texas. Photo: ReutersThe United States has given 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. "We thought there was a fire in one that we did close," Trump said. Richard Grenell, who served until recently as acting director of US national intelligence, suggested the United States could close the Chinese consulate in tech-heavy San Francisco. He said the United States had interfered with China's diplomatic missions, including intercepting diplomatic pouches.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 22, 2020 22:41 UTC