China says 'bomb, death threats' made against diplomats in Washington

The Chinese embassy in Washington has received "bomb and death threats" as tensions soar following a moratorium for Beijing to close its diplomatic mission in the US city of Houston, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.

In a Twitter post on Wednesday, Hua Chunying blamed the threats on the US government's smear campaign against Beijing. 

"As a result of smears & hatred fanned up by the #US gov, the Chinese embassy has received #bomb & #DeathThreats," she wrote in a post on Twitter, providing no further details about the threats and the designation of individuals affected by the threats.

The Donald Trump administration has given China 72 hours to close down its consulate in Houston allegedly to protect “American intellectual property” and their private information.

In some other tweets on Wednesday, Hua lambasted the move and urged the US to revoke the "erroneous decision." She also vowed Beijing would surely react with "firm countermeasures." 

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman also rejected the US accusations of China’s spying and said, “Infiltration & interference is never in the genes & tradition of China's foreign policy."

“While Chinese diplomats are promoting mutual understanding and friendship, the US embassy in China publicly attacks China's political system,” she said.

SS