Chinese diplomats return from Houston

All of the diplomats who worked at China's consulate general in Houston, United States, returned to Beijing by chartered plane on Monday evening.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the return of the diplomats at Beijing Capital International Airport, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi praised them for their outstanding work at a difficult time and in a dangerous environment.

They have firmly safeguarded the core interests of the country and national dignity, as well as the legitimate rights and interests of the diplomatic mission, Wang said.

Washington's decision to close the Chinese consulate demonstrated that anti-China elements in the US are trying every means to harm China-US relations and maliciously impede China's development, he said, adding that their attempts are doomed to fail.

Wang said he is confident that developing dialogue instead of resorting to confrontation remains the mainstream public opinion in both countries, and China-US relations will have a bright future after the turbulence.

China's destiny is in the hands of the Chinese people, and under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, nobody and no force can block China's national rejuvenation, Wang added.

The US ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston on July 21. As a countermeasure, the Foreign Ministry informed the US embassy in China on July 24 of its decision to withdraw its consent for the establishment and operation of the US consulate in Chengdu, Sichuan province.