The Trump administration told China to close its diplomatic consulate in Houston "in order to protect American intellectual property and American’s private information," State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus confirmed to Axios on Wednesday morning.
Details: The confirmation came after police and fire crews responded to a call of smoke coming from the Consulate General of China in Houston Tuesday night amid reports officials at the building were "burning their own paperwork," a police official told Axios. They couldn't enter the building as China has sovereignty over it.
Editor's note: This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.
