US AND CHINA IN CONSULATE WAR
Following a decision made by the United States to close the Chinese consulate in Houston, the Chinese government has ordered the closing of a US Consulate in Chengdu.
The trade war between the two countries and the COVID-19 virus have been the reasons for tensions growing as both countries appear to not give in.
US President Donald Trump has accused China of creating the COVID-19 virus in a lab, after the first cases of the worldwide pandemic were reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019.
The BBC reports that the US Department of Justice accused China of sponsoring hackers who had been targeting labs developing COVID-19 vaccines. Last week, the US subsequently gave the Chinese government 72 hours to close their consulate in Houston.
In retaliation, the Chinese gave the US consulate in the city of Chengdu 72 hours to close its doors. The US ignored the threat and the consulate was closed by Chinese government officials on Monday the 27th of July.
In a report compiled by CNN, the closing of US consulate attracted a lot of attention in Chengdu over the weekend as onlookers gathered to take photos and watch as the emblem and plaque were taken down as containers were filled with assets. It is reported that a lot of onlookers were waving Chinese flags in front of the consulate.
Watch the CGTN video below of the US national flag being lowered at 6:18 on Monday morning the 27th of July.
Credit image: TV6 News