The Chinese Embassy in the United States said on Saturday that it will temporarily take over the work of the Consulate General in Houston, and continue the various services for the people in the consular district.

"Taking into account of the desire and needs of the southern part of the U.S. for continued exchanges and cooperation with China and the practical difficulties that may come up, the Chinese Embassy in the United States will temporarily take over the work of the Consulate General in Houston, and continue the various services for the people in the consular district," the Chinese Embassy said in a statement.

"The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in the United States have always been committed to the healthy and stable development of China-U.S. relations, to China-U.S. exchanges and cooperation and to the two peoples' friendship," the embassy said. 

The statement added that the U.S. closure of China's Consulate General in Houston "has seriously damaged the regular exchanges and cooperation between the people of the southern part of the United States and China and their right for consular services from the Chinese government. It is completely against the people's will."

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