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I don't know why Houston was chosen, though the burning of documents provides a strong hint, but it was the only consulate Trump said had to go. He closed it in retaliation for Chinese hacking of companies trying to research corona virus vaccines.

As far as I can see, their trying to steal that information has only one of two possible reasons:

1. They are so far outclassed and have a much bigger problem in their country than they have admitted that they need all the help they can get.
or
2. That the release really was a targeted attack using biological warfare and they want the information to prepare another attack. Understanding how we fight this one would give them a hand up in designing a more successful weapon next time.

And I am not sure that these are mutually exclusive propositions. I don't think the US government would do something that would kill large number of their own citizens in an attempt to attack an enemy but I do not think the Chinese government has the same respect for their own citizens. I guess I should point out that my faith in our government is based on large numbers. They have demonstrated a willingness to risk smaller numbers of citizens for "the greater good".