All of the diplomats who worked at China's consulate general in Houston, United States, returned to Beijing by chartered plane on Monday evening.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the return of the diplomats at Beijing Capital International Airport, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi praised them for their outstanding work at a difficult time and in a dangerous environment.

They have firmly safeguarded the core interests of the country and national dignity, as well as the legitimate rights and interests of the diplomatic mission, Wang said.

Washington's decision to close the Chinese consulate demonstrated that anti-China elements in the US are trying every means to harm China-US relations and maliciously impede China's development, he said, adding that their attempts are doomed to fail.