US-China tensions: US leaves consulate in Chengdu after deadline

US diplomatic staff have left their consulate in the Chinese city of Chengdu as the deadline expired.

Before a 72-hour deadline, the staff was noticed leaving the consulate.

US diplomatic staff have left their consulate in the Chinese city of Chengdu as the deadline expired. Before the deadline, staff was leaving the consulate. US flag was lowered.

China’s foreign ministry said Chinese staff took over as they entered after the deadline.

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Crowds gathered outside the building as the consulate closed. Many people were seen taking selfies and waving Chinese flags. Workers were seen removing diplomatic insignia from the building.

Several Chinese police were monitoring the situation outside the building.

China had ordered the closure of the US consulate in Chengdu. The move was taken in retaliation as the US ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston last week.

Tensions prevailed between China and India over several issues:

• The US charged four Chinese nationals with visa fraud for allegedly working with China’s armed forces.
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• Washington condemned the controversial security law imposed by China in Hong Kong.
• Singaporean man pleaded guilty in a US court to working as China’s agent.
• President Donald Trump’s administration has criticized China over trade and coronavirus pandemic.

A Singaporean man has admitted being guilty in the US to working as an agent of China.

US officials said that Jun Wei Yeo was accused of using his political consultancy in the US as a front to gather data for Chinese intelligence. He was earlier accused of collecting confidential information using his political consultancy as a front.