Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 25 Jul 2020, 05:08 am Print

Unsplash
Washington: The United States has said that China is engaged in a massive illegal spying and influencing operations against US government officials and even the citizens of the country.
The relationship between the two nations have deteriorated in recent times.
"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," US State Department Spokesperson told ANI.
"As detailed by Secretary of State 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," the State Department spokesperson said.
China has ordered to shut down the US Consulate in south-western city of Chengdu, heightening the tension between the two nations.
"On the morning of 24 July, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China informed the US Embassy in China of its decision to withdraw its consent for the establishment and operation of the US Consulate General in Chengdu," the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.
"The Ministry also made specific requirements on the ceasing of all operations and events by the Consulate General," it said.
China made the move just days after the US directed Beijing to close its consulate in Houston.
"On 21 July, the US launched a unilateral provocation by abruptly demanding that China close its Consulate General in Houston. The US move seriously breached international law, the basic norms of international relations, and the terms of the China-US Consular Convention," the Chinese ministry said on the issue.
China said the incident 'gravely harmed China-US relations'.
- Donald Trump threatens to cut off NYC funding if Mamdani does not 'behave'
- Canada directs Chinese surveillance firm Hikvision to cease operations due to national security concerns
- Pakistan, China are planning to form a new bloc to replace SAARC, India's future in it remains uncertain
- Top cleric issues fatwa against Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu for threatening Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
- Taliban denies Pakistan's claim that India is using Afghanistan's soil to operate against it