scmp.com
January 2, 2014

China has condemned an arson attack on the Chinese Consulate-General in San Francisco, which was torched on Wednesday evening at 9.25pm, severely damaging the front door.

The consulate reported on its website that a suspect who had emerged from a parked minivan in front of the main entrance of the consulate had poured two buckets of petrol onto the front door and then set it on fire. Officials from the San Francisco Police Department, Fire Department, and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security of the US State Department arrived on the scene immediately. No one was hurt in the incident, and an investigation is now underway.

Watch: Arson attack at the Chinese consulate in San Francisco

“The attack is a violent crime, posing a threat to the safety of the consulate staff and the residents living nearby,” the consulate spokesperson remarked on the arson attack.

“We strongly condemn this despicable act and have already made representations with the US side on the attack.

“We urge the US side to take all necessary measures to provide adequate protection for Chinese consular personnel and properties, and bring the culprit(s) to justice as soon as possible.”

The consulate was attacked in a similar incident in March 2008, in which a flammable liquid was poured on a metal door at the building and set alight at around 4am.

The Emergency Election Sale is now live! Get 30% to 60% off our most popular products today!