why do they have a consulate in Houston?
RE: why do they have a consulate in Houston?
Because they have a large Chinese population there.
“why do they have a consulate in Houston?”
Houston is one of the most productive areas of the country...lots of stuff worth getting their hands on. Some good medical work too. And lots of Chinese nationals/immigrants, of course.
Not only do they have one, Houston was supposedly the first Chinese consulate to open in the US when we established diplomatic relations.
There's quite possibly some symbolism in our closing it down.
Spying on energy-sector businesses, no doubt.
“why do they have a consulate in Houston?”
Massive spying/technology theft? Yes.
But also (apparently), massive influence operations, at the Federal, State and Local levels.
SecState Pompeo addressed this to the National Governors Association earlier this year: https://www.state.gov/u-s-states-and-the-china-competition/
No doubt the Chinese have a major push underway to effect November’s election - it is an existential issue for the communists.
This sudden closure should disrupt their daily routine a good bit.
NASA and Energy....