US accuses China of spying from its Houston consulate

Alleging Chinese agents tried to steal data from facilities in Texas including the Texas A&M medical system, the United States ordered China to close its consulate in Houston, a decision which has escalated the growing tensions between the world's largest economies following the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan.

The ministry on Thursday rejected the allegations as "malicious slander" and warned the Houston consulate's closure was "breaking down the bridge of friendship" between the two countries.