In the latest development of deteriorating relations between China and the United States, Beijing has forced the closure of a U.S. consulate in Chengdu.
今天,我们带着对我们所做工作的骄傲,以及中国西南地区人民留在我们记忆中的友谊,开启新的工作。 pic.twitter.com/5DxaRgZZVN
— 美国驻华使领馆 US MissionCN (@USA_China_Talk) July 27, 2020
Chinese authorities lowered the American flag over the consulate Monday after the U.S. government closed a Chinese mission in Houston three days prior. The decision was announced Friday as U.S. diplomats were expelled from the consulate and police blocked off the facility.
According to Bloomberg, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the closure was a “legitimate and necessary response to what the U.S. did”. The closure of both consulates signals a casualty between the U.S. and China since 1979, after 35 years since establishing the facility.
In video footage from Bloomberg, onlookers in Chengdu can be seen watching the American diplomats leave the consulate.
“A huge crowd has gathered to see the Americans depart.”
— Bloomberg QuickTake (@QuickTake) July 27, 2020
Here’s the scene outside the U.S. Consulate in Chengdu, China as bystanders witness its closure, @sharonchenhm reports. More @business: https://t.co/oIoQ0wQvCQ #成都 #领事馆 pic.twitter.com/WkNynqHAtm
This comes after the Chinese government imposed new national security laws in Hong Kong that drastically increases restrictions on free speech and tightens the government’s authority over Hong Kong.
In addition, the Trump administration has toughened its stance on China after the coronavirus outbreak by considering a ban on a Chinese-based app that poses a national security threat and blaming China for a weak response to the coronavirus, resulting in worldwide transmission.