오성홍기 내린 휴스턴 중 영사관…18륜 대형트럭 동원 철수(종합)

반중단체, 퇴거 장면 지켜봐…"중국 공산당 바이러스" 원색 비난

오성홍기와 중국 정부 인장이 철거된 휴스턴 주재 중국 총영사관

[AP=연합뉴스, 휴스턴 크로니클 제공·재판매 및 DB 금지]

(로스앤젤레스=연합뉴스) 정윤섭 특파원 = 미국 휴스턴 주재 중국 총영사관이 24일(현지시간) 영사관 건물에서 자국 국기인 오성홍기를 내렸다.

중국 총영사관은 이날 미국이 요구한 퇴거 시한에 맞춰 직원들을 철수시켰다고 현지 매체인 휴스턴 크로니클 등이 보도했다.

미국은 지난 21일 휴스턴 주재 중국 총영사관을 스파이 활동과 지식 재산권 절도의 근거지로 지목하고, 이날 오후 4시까지 영사관을 폐쇄하라고 요구했다.

중국 총영사관은 이날 이른 아침부터 건물 주변에 18륜 대형트럭과 이사 서비스 업체인 유홀(U-Haul) 차량을 배치해 철수 작업을 진행했다.

이사 차량에 짐을 싣는 중국 영사관 직원들

[로이터=연합뉴스]

영사관 직원과 인부로 추정되는 사람들은 이사 차량에 대형 여행 가방, 개인 소지품과 옷걸이, 양복 등을 잇따라 옮겨 실었다.

일부는 검은색 쓰레기봉투를 들고나와 건물 바깥의 쓰레기통에 연신 내다 버렸다.

중국 총영사관 입구에 걸려있던 오성홍기는 내려졌고, 중국 총영사관임을 알리는 중국 정부의 공식 인장과 간판도 철거됐다.

영사관의 철수 작업은 퇴거 시한인 오후 4시까지 이어졌고, 마지막 정리를 마친 직원들은 흰색 차량 3대에 나눠타고 영사관을 빠져나갔다.

휴스턴 주재 중국 총영사관에 배치된 대형트력과 이사 차량

[AP=연합뉴스, 휴스턴 크로니클 제공·재판매 및 DB 금지]

휴스턴 총영사관은 미국과 중국이 외교 관계를 맺은 1979년 중국이 미국에 처음 개설한 영사관이다.

중국 영사관 건물 앞에는 반중(反中) 단체인 파룬궁(法輪功) 소속 회원들이 모여들어 영사관의 퇴거 작업을 지켜봤다.

한 회원은 "영사관은 중국인을 대표하지 않는다. 이들은 중국 공산당원"이라며 "신종 코로나바이러스 감염증(코로나19)은 중국 공산당 바이러스다. 그들은 전염병을 은폐했고, 그것이 대유행을 초래했다"고 말했다.

일부는 '홍콩을 해방하라'는 팻말을 들고 영사관의 마지막 모습을 카메라에 담았다.

중국 총영사관의 철수 작업을 지켜보는 반중단체 회원

[AP=연합뉴스, 휴스턴 크로니클 제공·재판매 및 DB 금지]

jamin74@yna.co.kr

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