Chengdu, China:
The American flag was lowered at the US consulate in Chengdu on Monday, days after Beijing ordered it to shut in retaliation for the shuttering of the Chinese language consulate in Houston.
Footage on state broadcaster CCTV from outdoors the consulate confirmed the flag being slowly lowered early Monday morning, after diplomatic tensions soared between the 2 powers with each alleging the opposite had endangered nationwide safety.
Relations deteriorated in current weeks in a Chilly Conflict-style standoff, with the Chengdu mission Friday ordered to close in retaliation for the compelled closure of Beijing’s consulate in Houston, Texas.
The deadline for the People to exit Chengdu has been unclear, however the Chinese language consulate in Houston was given 72 hours to shut after the unique order was made.
On Saturday AFP reporters noticed staff eradicating the US insignia from the entrance of the consulate.
Over the weekend, removals vehicles entered the US consulate and cleaners have been seen carting massive black garbage luggage from the constructing.
Beijing says closing the Chengdu consulate was a “official and needed response to the unreasonable measures by the US”, and has alleged that employees on the diplomatic mission endangered China’s safety and pursuits.
Washington officers, in the meantime, stated there had been unacceptable efforts by the Chinese language consulate in Houston to steal US company secrets and techniques.
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
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