The "New Cold War"
- InkSociety
- Aug 13, 2020
- 2 min read
By Edward Liu
Northwood High School

The China-US relationship has reached the lowest point since President Nixon established a formal diplomatic relationship with China in 1972.
On July 21, America ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate located in Houston, Texas, claiming it being the epicenter of massive espionage activities. The US State Department said the consulate was ordered to close "to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information." After the US government gave China 72 hours to cease operations, the Houston police department received reports of a fire inside the consulate. According to video footage, it is assumed that Chinese officers were burning classified documents before the closure deadline. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman condemns US action as "A political provocation initiated by the US unilaterally against China, a serious violation of international law and the basic norms of international relations." The Chinese spokesman also threatened retaliation if the US does not revoke its decision.
On July 24, China, in response, ordered the closure of the American consulate located in Chengdu, Sichuan province. According to the official statement, China's action was "The proper and necessary response to the US's unreasonable actions. The action conforms with international laws and diplomatic practices." This retaliation has been regarded as a warning sign sent by China and a potential signal for the increasing tension surrounding the China-US relationship for the foreseen future.
The current administration, led by Trump, continued its political agenda against China amid the Covid-19 pandemic. On July 23, the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, gave a neo “iron curtain”speech in the former US President Nixon's residence, who initiated the "engagement policy" with China and claimed the US new diplomatic strategy towards China. His speech was the fourth of a cumulative series of remarks on China. He announced the failure of "engagement policy" and proposed distrust and verification strategy towards the Chinese Communist Party. His speech called for an international coalition of the free world to combat China's "aggressive and brutal" plan in replacing the US for new global power. He also pointed out the difference between the CCP and Chinese people and stressed that "The US needs to reach out to the people of China and help them speak out. The world can not be safe unless China changes."
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