The Chinese community in Houston is concerned that US-China political conflict may affect their families, careers and safety.

The US earlier this week demanded that China close its consulate general in Houston, Texas, within 72 hours, a move which caused concern among the Chinese community in the city.

"The move has a huge impact on all of us. I can't even imagine what will happen next," said Helen Shih, a member of the American community in Houston.

"I was surprised. This is an extremely rare and extremely risky act," said Dr. Hans Stockton at St. University.

The Chinese community and Chinese-Americans in Houston say locals, their families and friends are caught up in a political war.

"Anxiety has swept into the Chinese community because in the past few years, an investigation into Chinese Americans has been taking place and this has made the situation worse," Quan said.

Mr. Guan is one of many who is worried about the necessary services that the Houston Consulate provides for more than 215,300 Chinese Americans in Texas.

Brian Liu, another member of the Chinese community in Houston, said the Chinese Consulate General in Houston offers residents and businesses here "a lot of convenience".

Washington said the move was closed to "protect intellectual property and personal information of Americans".

Beijing, meanwhile, declares it "unprecedented escalation", "unilateral political provocation", undermining bilateral relations and warning of necessary responses.

Chinese Consul General at Houston Taiwei on July 23 said the diplomatic establishment was operating normally until further notice, ignoring the US closure request.

The Chinese Consulate General in Houston opened in 1979, providing consular services to the south and southeast region of the United States.

Washington-Beijing relations are at their lowest level in years.