Foreign Ministry urges US to conduct swift probe into San Francisco consulate car crash
Emergency responders work outside the visa office of the Chinese consulate on Monday after a person drove into the building in San Francisco. Lea Suzuki / via AP
China has strongly urged the United States to conduct a swift investigation and take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese diplomatic institutions and personnel after a vehicle crashed into the Chinese consulate-general building in San Francisco on Monday.
Police fatally shot the driver of the blue Honda sedan that plowed through the consulate and into the lobby of the building's visa office in the afternoon. The identity of the driver, who died in a hospital, had not been released. There was no report of anyone else being injured in the incident.
San Francisco police said they didn't know why the unidentified driver smashed through the front of the consulate, located on a major street across from the city's Japantown neighborhood. The San Francisco Standard, citing unnamed sources, said that police shot the driver believing that the person was armed.
The Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that an "unidentified individual" crashed into the consulate in San Francisco and tried to hurt visitors and consulate staff.
"China strongly urges the US to launch a swift investigation and take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese diplomatic missions and personnel there," spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular news briefing.
Wang also called on the US to take strong measures according to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
In a statement released on its WeChat account, the Chinese consulate said it would temporarily close its consular certificate hall starting on Tuesday, and would inform the public when services resume.
A separate statement from the consulate denounced Monday's incident. "An unidentified person drove a vehicle and violently crashed into the visa office of our consulate, posing a serious threat to the safety of staff and people on site, and causing serious damage to our consulate's facilities," it said.
The consulate said it severely condemns the violent attack and reserves the right to pursue responsibilities related to the incident. It said it has made solemn representations to the US, demanding that the truth be quickly ascertained and dealt with seriously in accordance with the law.
"We also urge the United States to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of Consulate General personnel and premises, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and the Consular Convention between China and the US," the statement added.
Related articles
Michael Douglas pays solidarity visit to southern Israel
JERUSALEM (AP) — Actor Michael Douglas on Sunday paid a solidarity visit to an Israeli kibbutz that2024-06-03Brewers' Rhys Hoskins leaves game with injury after hitting a second
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee’s Rhys Hoskins left the Brewers’ game with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Mond2024-06-03- Ivanka Trump was spotted looking workout chic as she took her kids for a private lesson with Gisele2024-06-03
After a rookie renaissance the past couple years, some top prospects have struggled this season
BALTIMORE (AP) — Jackson Holliday’s debut with the Baltimore Orioles went south in a hurry when the2024-06-03Kylie Jenner wows her fans with sultry sunset photos in a figure
Kylie Jenner seems to be adapting quite nicely to life at sea.The Kylie Cosmetics founder, 26, has b2024-06-03Major blow in crackdown on airline's sneaky added fees
Major US airlines are suing transportation officials over a new rule requiring upfront disclosure of2024-06-03
atest comment