January 1, 2014, at 9:25pm, a person from a mini-van parking in front of the main entrance of the Chinese Consulate-General in San Francisco poured 2 buckets of gasoline onto the front door of the consulate, and then set it on fire, causing it severely damaged. San Francisco Police Department, Fire Department and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security of the US State Department arrived on the scene immediately in the wake of the attack. An investigation is now underway.

The arson attack is a violent crime targeted at the Chinese consular institution in the United States, causing severe damage to the consulate facilities and posing a threat to the safety of the consulate staff and the residents living nearby. 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.