Time to reopen Houston consulate
In November, President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping of China met virtually to discuss pressing issues and rising tensions between both nations. U.s.-china relations are at a historic low as both increasingly compete with, and sometimes directly confront, each other in matters ranging from trade, economy and human rights, to national security and military superiority. The Biden-xi dialogue seemed to set the right tone as both leaders pledged to work together to better manage their bilateral relations.
As a small but tangible step, the U.S. should move to restore China’s consular office in Houston. To reciprocate, China should let the U.S. reopen its consular office in Chengdu. Reopening both operations would benefit the economy and enable cultural and academic exchanges.
The Houston Consulate was opened in 1979, the first Chinese mission in America after both nations reestablished diplomatic relations. However, in July 2020, President Donald Trump’s administration abruptly ordered the Houston Consulate closed on charges that the mission was engaged in economic espionage against the U.S. In retaliation, China ordered the Chengdu mission shut down and American diplomats expelled from the country. Both missions remain closed.
The Houston Consulate used to serve hundreds of thousands of Chinese immigrants and American citizens of Chinese descent living in eight states and Puerto Rico. The mission provided vital services, like document authentication and notarization for immigration. It issued visas to American businesses and tourists to travel to China. It promoted engagements between local businesses and governments with China. For instance, the office’s active efforts led to Air China’s successful launching of a direct flight between Beijing and Houston several years ago.
The Houston mission’s closure damages higher education in this region. For instance, the St. Mary’s University School of Law, where I teach, has operated a study abroad program in China since 2010, which focuses on Chinese law and business. Before the pandemic, we held a five-week summer program in Beijing annually. To travel to China, students need visas, and applications must be submitted in person (either by the applicant or a representative, like travel agents). That was manageable since we could drive to Houston to submit applications. With the Houston Consulate’s closure, applications must go to China’s Embassy in Washington, D.C. This means that unless a family member or friend is there to help, a travel agent must be hired to secure a visa, which costs $200 - $300 in service fees.
Other Texas and regional institutions operate academic programs that require or benefit from travel to and from China. The increased difficulties of obtaining visas without the Houston Consulate present are unnecessary. American entities doing business with or in China face the same dilemma.
Meanwhile, disappearance of the Chengdu consulate hurts America. Chengdu and the surrounding region have experienced explosive growth in recent decades. With a huge, diverse population, a prospering economy and its strategic location nearby Tibet, the Chengdu mission was, and could continue to be, vital in serving America’s national interests.
Consequently, it is to both nations’ benefit to restore each other’s missions, a small but meaningful step forward. This measure could build trust leading to future improvement in bilateral relations.