China Officially Closes The US Consulate In Chengdu

US Consulate General in Chengdu City (Photo-Global Times)

China withdrew the establishment and operation license of the US consulate in Chengdu after the US forced the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas to close. 

According to the South China Morning Post, on July 24, China suddenly requested that the United States close its consulate in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province in retaliation for Washington's earlier request for Beijing to close its consulate in Houston Texas state on allegations of espionage.

"China decided to withdraw the license for establishment and operation of the US consulate in Chengdu, and also made specific requirements for the US consulate to stop all work and operations."

RT radio of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on July 24 morning.

"The current situation between China and the United States is something China does not want to see and the responsibility lies entirely with the United States."

The statement continued.

“At the same time, Beijing once again demanded that Washington Immediately retract the wrong decision in order to create the necessary conditions to bring the bilateral relationship back to normal”

Earlier, on March 21, the administration of US President Donald Trump ordered the Chinese consulate in Houston to close within 72 hours. Washington accuses Chinese agents of trying to steal data from facilities in Texas, including the Texas A&M health system.

China criticized the closure of the Chinese Consulate General in Houston as "an unprecedented escalation" and warned Beijing would respond if the United States did not withdraw the decision.