The ongoing crisis between The United States of America and China deteriorated further on Monday as American diplomatic staff has left the consulate in the Chinese city of Chengdu, after the 72-hour deadline issued by China expired.
Before Monday’s deadline expiration, the staff of the US consulate were seen leaving the building, a plaque was removed, and the US flag was lowered.
China’s Foreign Ministry in a statement said Chinese staff entered the building after the deadline and “took over”.
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“The closure was a legitimate and necessary response to the actions taken by the US. Staff at the consulate were engaged in activities outside of their capacity, interfered in China’s internal affairs, and endangered China’s security and interests”, the statement said.
In response, a US state department spokesperson condemned the action by saying “The consulate has stood at the center of our relations with the people in Western China, including Tibet, for 35 years. We are disappointed by the Chinese Communist Party’s decision and will strive to continue our outreach to the people in this important region through our other posts in China” the spokesperson said.
Recall that China has ordered the closure of the US Consulate in retaliation to the US closing the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas last week.
The US had ordered the Chinese consulate in Houston to close last Wednesday over allegations that it had become a hub for spying and property theft.
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Recall also that tensions have been escalating between the two countries over a number of issues. The US has blamed China for the global spread of COVID-19. More specifically, President Donald Trump has alleged that the virus originated from a Chinese laboratory in Wuhan and for deceiving the world about the severity of the issue. Also, the US and China have been locked in a trade war since 2018.
Beijing on its part has denied the allegations and accused the US of “gross interference” in its domestic affairs.
