U.S. Consulate In Chengdu, China Closes

The US consulate in China was closed as tensions rose between the US and China. In retaliation for the US shutting down the Chinese consulate in Houston, China seized the US consulate building and lowered the American flag. The US mission in China posted a farewell video on Twitter. The consulate, opened in 1985 by then Vice President George Bush, was strategic for monitoring Tibet. The US State Department expressed disappointment in China's decision and aimed to continue outreach through other posts. The US had given China 72 hours to close the Houston consulate, citing espionage and theft allegations. Witnesses reported employees burning documents at the consulate.

When was the Chinese consulate in Houston opened?

What did the US State Department express regarding the closure of the consulate?