Gordon Chang: US Should Also Close China's NYC Consulate

The United States should follow up on its orders to close the Chinese consulate in Houston  with closing the country's facility in New York City as well, Asia expert Gordon Chang said Wednesday. 

"In the affidavit which was unsealed this year, the FBI said the Chinese ambassador and somebody from the New York consulate illicitly tried to recruit a scientist in Connecticut who was involved in molecular biology research," Chang said on Fox News' "America's Newsroom." "This was obviously conduct which was inconsistent with their diplomatic status. China has been doing this almost openly, so we need to take measures that are effective."

Chang explained that the State Department's reason for shuttering the Houston consulate was "because it was involved in intellectual property theft and that they want to protect U.S. individuals." 

He added that the foreign ministry and the Communist Party's global ties "have been engaged in the malicious disinformation campaign, deliberately stoking racial tensions in the U.S., and U.S. Customs seized items coming from China this year that would be very handy for protesters."

Chang added that "certainly" the days of engaging in trade negotiations with China are over. 

"Remember though tariffs that were imposed, those haven't worked, so trying to close consulates and other facilities may have more of an effect on Beijing."

Politico reported Wednesday that the move to close the consulate in Houston comes while President Donald Trump wants to appear to be tough on China heading into the November election, and after presumptive Democratic Party nominee Joe Biden has slammed Trump for his praise of Chinese President Xi Jinping in the past. Biden has also announced plans to invest in American manufacturing in a fight against Beijing's economic actions. 

Trump has also repeatedly slammed China for its role in the origins and spread of the coronavirus pandemic, often referring to the disease as the "China Virus."

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