On July 21, several fire trucks were rushed to the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas after nearby residents reported smoke coming from the consulate building.

Within minutes, some Chinese diplomats were seen dumping papers in barrels set on fire which sparked controversies.

After these reports, the US government clarified&nbsp;that it has ordered China to shut the Houston consulate in 72 hours.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-orders-us-chengdu-consulate-shut-american-flag-lowered-at-consulate-us-china-316179">Also watch:&nbsp;China orders U.S Chengdu consulate shut | American flag lowered at consulate | US-China</a>

The US President claimed that the shutting down of the Chinese consulate was because of security reasons and he also hinted at more of such closures coming up.

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The Houston consulate was completely vacated within 72 hours i.e. on July 24.

After the US ordered closure of the Chinese consulate, China too ordered the US to shut down its consulate in Chengdu, China.&nbsp;American officials were asked to leave the facility and return home within 72 hours.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/american-flag-lowered-at-us-consulate-in-chengdu-316182">Also watch:&nbsp;American flag lowered at US consulate in Chengdu</a>

The deadline ended today (July 27) and the consulate was completely emptied out as the consulate staff was spotted leaving in huge buses. quickly after that, the Chinese officials surrounded the facility and the American flag outside the consulate building was also lowered. After this, all access to the consulate building was restricted.

The Chinese foreign ministry in Beijing has declared that it has officially taken over the premises.

Quickly after the consulate was emptied out, Chengdu became a venue of celebration. Crowds gathered and chanted of nationalism.

While US and China have been at a verbal war for months now, the events in the past week are hinting towards the&nbsp;possibility of a more dangerous phase of the US-China conflict.

On July 21, several fire trucks were rushed to the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas after nearby residents reported smoke coming from the consulate building. Within minutes, some Chinese diplomats were seen dumping papers in barrels set on fire which sparked controversies.

On July 21, several fire trucks were rushed to the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas after nearby residents reported smoke coming from the consulate building. Within minutes, some Chinese diplomats were seen dumping papers in barrels set on fire which sparked controversies. After these reports, the US government clarified that it has ordered China to shut the Houston consulate in 72 hours. Also watch: China orders U.S Chengdu consulate shut | American flag lowered at consulate | US-China The US President claimed that the shutting down of the Chinese consulate was because of security reasons and he also hinted at more of such closures coming up. × The Houston consulate was completely vacated within 72 hours i.e. on July 24. After the US ordered closure of the Chinese consulate, China too ordered the US to shut down its consulate in Chengdu, China. American officials were asked to leave the facility and return home within 72 hours. Also watch: American flag lowered at US consulate in Chengdu The deadline ended today (July 27) and the consulate was completely emptied out as the consulate staff was spotted leaving in huge buses. quickly after that, the Chinese officials surrounded the facility and the American flag outside the consulate building was also lowered. After this, all access to the consulate building was restricted. The Chinese foreign ministry in Beijing has declared that it has officially taken over the premises. Quickly after the consulate was emptied out, Chengdu became a venue of celebration. Crowds gathered and chanted of nationalism. While US and China have been at a verbal war for months now, the events in the past week are hinting towards the possibility of a more dangerous phase of the US-China conflict.

American flag lowered at Chengdu consulate after employees vacate building

Chinese authorities have taken the possession of closed US consulate on Chengdu on Monday, as per foreign ministry's statement. The consulate was ordered to shut last week in a tit-for-tat move after the US ordered closing the Houston consulate.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-rejects-trumps-proposal-to-let-russia-back-into-g7-foreign-minister-316152" hreflang="en">Germany rejects Trump's proposal to let Russia back into G7: Foreign Minister</a>

"At 10am on July 27th, according to the Chinese side's request, the US consulate in Chengdu was closed. Afterwards, Chinese authorities entered through the front entrance and took it over," the Chinese ministry's public diplomacy office said in a statement on its official social media account.&nbsp;

On Thursday, the Chinese foreign ministry decided to shut down the US consulate and said that "the United States launched a unilateral provocation by abruptly demanding that China close its consulate in Houston".

China's foreign ministry said the measure taken by it was the "legitimate and necessary response to the unjustified act by the US".

The Chinese foreign ministry said that it "conforms with international law, the basic norms of international relations, and customary diplomatic practices."

"The current situation in China-US relations is not what China desires," it said, adding the US is responsible for it.

The Chinese spokesman said that some "people of the US consulate in Chengdu have engaged in activities that are incompatible with their status, interfering in China's internal affairs" while asserting that "China has repeatedly lodged representations, and the US side is well aware of it."

"The Chinese side has made specific requirements on the ceasing of all operations and activities by the US Consulate General in Chengdu, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity in diplomacy," Wang Wenbin said.

The US had ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston after what it called to "protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information" amid reports of papers being burned inside the Chinese consulate compound, as the fire reportedly started US firefighter arrived on the scene but were prevented from entering the building.&nbsp;

The Chinese officials were ordered to vacate the consulate within 72 hours.

Chinese authorities have taken the possession of closed US consulate on Chengdu on Monday, as per foreign ministry's statement. The consulate was ordered to shut last week in a tit-for-tat move after the US ordered closing the Houston consulate.

Chinese authorities have taken the possession of closed US consulate on Chengdu on Monday, as per foreign ministry's statement. The consulate was ordered to shut last week in a tit-for-tat move after the US ordered closing the Houston consulate. Also read: Germany rejects Trump's proposal to let Russia back into G7: Foreign Minister "At 10am on July 27th, according to the Chinese side's request, the US consulate in Chengdu was closed. Afterwards, Chinese authorities entered through the front entrance and took it over," the Chinese ministry's public diplomacy office said in a statement on its official social media account. On Thursday, the Chinese foreign ministry decided to shut down the US consulate and said that "the United States launched a unilateral provocation by abruptly demanding that China close its consulate in Houston". China's foreign ministry said the measure taken by it was the "legitimate and necessary response to the unjustified act by the US". The Chinese foreign ministry said that it "conforms with international law, the basic norms of international relations, and customary diplomatic practices." "The current situation in China-US relations is not what China desires," it said, adding the US is responsible for it. The Chinese spokesman said that some "people of the US consulate in Chengdu have engaged in activities that are incompatible with their status, interfering in China's internal affairs" while asserting that "China has repeatedly lodged representations, and the US side is well aware of it." "The Chinese side has made specific requirements on the ceasing of all operations and activities by the US Consulate General in Chengdu, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity in diplomacy," Wang Wenbin said. The US had ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston after what it called to "protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information" amid reports of papers being burned inside the Chinese consulate compound, as the fire reportedly started US firefighter arrived on the scene but were prevented from entering the building. The Chinese officials were ordered to vacate the consulate within 72 hours.

Chinese authorities take possession of closed US consulate in Chengdu: Foreign Ministry

In a tit-for-tat diplomacy, China has asked the United States to close its consulate in Chengdu after Washington shut down Beijing's consulate in Houston.&nbsp;

The US has accused China of snooping through the Houston consulate and now China is retaliating on similar grounds.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/people-in-us-consulate-in-chengdu-interfered-in-our-internal-affairs-china-315732">People in US consulate in Chengdu interfered in our internal affairs: China</a>

Chengdu, which lies in Sichuan province, is a hub for China's commercial expansion into Central Asia.&nbsp;

Also read&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-houston-consulate-was-hub-of-spying-us-secretary-of-state-mike-pompeo-315582">'China's Houston consulate was hub of spying': US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-houston-consulate-was-hub-of-spying-us-secretary-of-state-mike-pompeo-315582">&nbsp;</a>

The region has been a valuable outpost for the US too as reports suggest it is from this consulate that Washington used to gather information about Xinjiang and Tibet.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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Xinjiang and Tibet have been in international focus after China began crackdowns in these regions.&nbsp;

Chinese celebrated the decision to shut down Chengdu consulate and it was the&nbsp;top trending topic on Weibo, Chinese version of a social-media website similar to Twitter.&nbsp;

Chinese state media CCTV posted an image with the text: "retaliation".

Hot pots are a popular food in Chengdu and now some users on social media are suggesting that the American consulate could be turned into a hotspot restaurant.&nbsp;

Several people were seen outside the consulate, who apparently wanted to see if the US will burn any documents.&nbsp;

Earlier, Chinese diplomats had burnt some documents in Houston following the announcment by the US.&nbsp;

The Americans didn't burn any documents, but some crackers were set off.&nbsp;

The US has been given 72 hours to shut down the consulate and the country is not looking to buckle, in fact, it seems, US is willing to take on China. &nbsp;

In recent weeks, the US has sanctioned Chinese officials, cut off access to the American technology and challenged Beijing on the South China Sea.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State, who has constantly ramped up pressure on China, today described the Asian giant a "frankenstein" and declared that Washington will lead the fight against the Communist Party.&nbsp;

Washington and Beijing are battling on several fronts, be it defence, trade, technology and human rights and the closure of the American consulate suggests that the tussle is all set to intensify.&nbsp;

In a tit-for-tat diplomacy, China has asked the United States to close its consulate in Chengdu after Washington shut down Beijing's consulate in Houston. The US has accused China of snooping through the Houston consulate and now China is retaliating on similar grounds.

In a tit-for-tat diplomacy, China has asked the United States to close its consulate in Chengdu after Washington shut down Beijing's consulate in Houston. The US has accused China of snooping through the Houston consulate and now China is retaliating on similar grounds. Also read | People in US consulate in Chengdu interfered in our internal affairs: China Chengdu, which lies in Sichuan province, is a hub for China's commercial expansion into Central Asia. Also read | 'China's Houston consulate was hub of spying': US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo The region has been a valuable outpost for the US too as reports suggest it is from this consulate that Washington used to gather information about Xinjiang and Tibet. Watch | Xinjiang and Tibet have been in international focus after China began crackdowns in these regions. Chinese celebrated the decision to shut down Chengdu consulate and it was the top trending topic on Weibo, Chinese version of a social-media website similar to Twitter. Chinese state media CCTV posted an image with the text: "retaliation". Hot pots are a popular food in Chengdu and now some users on social media are suggesting that the American consulate could be turned into a hotspot restaurant. Several people were seen outside the consulate, who apparently wanted to see if the US will burn any documents. Earlier, Chinese diplomats had burnt some documents in Houston following the announcment by the US. The Americans didn't burn any documents, but some crackers were set off. The US has been given 72 hours to shut down the consulate and the country is not looking to buckle, in fact, it seems, US is willing to take on China. In recent weeks, the US has sanctioned Chinese officials, cut off access to the American technology and challenged Beijing on the South China Sea. US Secretary of State, who has constantly ramped up pressure on China, today described the Asian giant a "frankenstein" and declared that Washington will lead the fight against the Communist Party. Washington and Beijing are battling on several fronts, be it defence, trade, technology and human rights and the closure of the American consulate suggests that the tussle is all set to intensify.

With announcement on Chengdu consulate closure, US, China battle set to intensify

Tit for tat: US and China order shut down of each other's consulates over 'political provocation'

After China ordered the closure of the US consulate in Chengdu in a tit-for-tat move as the US closed China's Houston consulate on Thursday, the Chinese foreign ministry said that "the United States launched a unilateral provocation by abruptly demanding that China close its consulate in Houston".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-orders-us-to-close-its-consulate-in-chengdu-in-response-to-houston-closure-315605">Also Read:&nbsp;China orders US to close its consulate in Chengdu in response to Houston closure</a>

China's foreign ministry said the measure taken by it was the "legitimate and necessary response to the unjustified act by the US".

Watch:

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The Chinese foreign ministry said that it "conforms with international law, the basic norms of international relations, and customary diplomatic practices."

"The current situation in China-US relations is not what China desires," it said, adding the US is responsible for it.

The US had ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston after what it called to "protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information" amid reports of papers being burned inside the Chinese consulate compound, as the fire reportedly started US firefighter arrived on the scene but were prevented from entering the building.&nbsp;

The Chinese officials were ordered to vacate the consulate within 72 hours.

"We once again urge the US to immediately retract its wrong decision and create necessary conditions for bringing the bilateral relationship back on track," China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.

The Chinese spokesman said that some "people of the US consulate in Chengdu have engaged in activities that are incompatible with their status, interfering in China's internal affairs" while asserting that "China has repeatedly lodged representations, and the US side is well aware of it."

"The Chinese side has made specific requirements on the ceasing of all operations and activities by the US Consulate General in Chengdu, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity in diplomacy," Wang Wenbin said.

After China ordered the closure of the US consulate in Chengdu in a tit-for-tat move as the US closed China's Houston consulate on Thursday, the Chinese foreign ministry said that "the United States launched a unilateral provocation by abruptly demanding that China close its consulate in Houston".

After China ordered the closure of the US consulate in Chengdu in a tit-for-tat move as the US closed China's Houston consulate on Thursday, the Chinese foreign ministry said that "the United States launched a unilateral provocation by abruptly demanding that China close its consulate in Houston". Also Read: China orders US to close its consulate in Chengdu in response to Houston closure China's foreign ministry said the measure taken by it was the "legitimate and necessary response to the unjustified act by the US". Watch: The Chinese foreign ministry said that it "conforms with international law, the basic norms of international relations, and customary diplomatic practices." "The current situation in China-US relations is not what China desires," it said, adding the US is responsible for it. The US had ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston after what it called to "protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information" amid reports of papers being burned inside the Chinese consulate compound, as the fire reportedly started US firefighter arrived on the scene but were prevented from entering the building. The Chinese officials were ordered to vacate the consulate within 72 hours. "We once again urge the US to immediately retract its wrong decision and create necessary conditions for bringing the bilateral relationship back on track," China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said. The Chinese spokesman said that some "people of the US consulate in Chengdu have engaged in activities that are incompatible with their status, interfering in China's internal affairs" while asserting that "China has repeatedly lodged representations, and the US side is well aware of it." "The Chinese side has made specific requirements on the ceasing of all operations and activities by the US Consulate General in Chengdu, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity in diplomacy," Wang Wenbin said.

People in US consulate in Chengdu interfered in our internal affairs: China