The United States has taken down the Chinese flag at the Houston embassy

Washington, Ta. Saturday, July 25, 2020

The embassy was occupied by U.S. officials after the Houston-based Chinese embassy was ordered to close and the Chinese flag was flown at half-mast from the building. The Chinese government slammed the US government's move and threatened retaliation.

The United States has ordered the evacuation of the Chinese consulate in Houston, citing "mysterious activity." The embassy was to be evacuated within 72 hours as ordered by the US government. Immediately after the notice expired, US officials took over the Chinese embassy.

The Chinese national flag was taken down from the embassy building, which opened four decades ago, and American officials hoisted the American flag. As the embassy was being evacuated, anti-China protesters stormed Chinese authorities.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded by saying American officials had taken possession of the five-story building. China has said the move by the United States has further strained relations between the two countries. An implicit threat was made by a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman that China would now retaliate.

Meanwhile, the Australian government has dealt a blow to China. At the suggestion of the United States, Australia rejected China's claim to the South China Sea. The Australian government said in a statement that there was "no historical evidence" that China had a monopoly on the South China Sea.

China's right to the South China Sea cannot be accepted as no legal documents have been found in this regard. The Australian statement, in favor of the US, said the US right to free maritime in the South China Sea could not be denied.