Years of Chinese Spying Led to Consulate Closing, U.S. Says (1)

The Trump administration’s decision to shutter the Chinese consulate in Houston followed years of frustration about what it says were criminal and covert activity directed by Beijing to steal trade secrets and carry out malign influence operations across the U.S.

While two Chinese citizens were convicted in the past year for trying to steal trade secrets in America’s energy capital, three administration officials briefing reporters on Friday said the sum total of activity conducted through the Houston consulate represented the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to concerns about China.

Highlighting the scope of the challenge, the FBI currently ...