U.S. Consulate General in Chengdu closed, taken over by Chinese authorities

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday informed the U.S. Embassy in China of its decision to withdraw its consent for the establishment and operation of the U.S. Consulate General in Chengdu. The ministry made specific requirements for ceasing any operations and events by the Consulate General.

China’s move is a response to the U.S. demand for China to shut down its consulate in Houston.

The United States launched a unilateral provocation on July 21 by abruptly demanding that China close its consulate general in Houston on the pretext of “protecting American intellectual property” and Americans’ private information.

On Sunday, the third day after the U.S. consulate general was notified to close, there were people and vehicles coming and going in the compound of the U.S. mission.