- International relations: the war of the consulates triggers the tension between China and the United States
Chinese officials entered the United States consulate compound in Chengdu on Monday shortly after the last Washington employees left, ending an episode of mutual sanctions worthy of the Cold War.
Symbolically, the flag of the United States was lowered shortly before inside the diplomatic complex, according to images from Chinese television.
Unlike the previous days, the security forces prevented foreign journalists from approaching the diplomatic representation.
In a brief statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed the closure of the consulate and claimed that China "took possession" of the building at 10:00 local time (04:00 Spanish peninsular time). Shortly before, employees left the premises on foot . Some carried a bag and others pushed their bikes by hand.
The day before, a bus with tinted windows left the diplomatic complex under the boos of the people who were there.
New Cold War between China and the US
The US consulate in Chengdu, opened in 1985, became the latest topic on a long list of disputes between Beijing and Washington on Friday, as China ordered its closure.
The communist regime did so in response to the forced closure of its consulate in Houston by the government of President Donald Trump, amid allegations of espionage.
Beijing later protested the forcible entry of US agents on Friday, after Chinese officials had left.
The building is "a national property of China," stressed the Chinese foreign ministry, referring to international law.
Photos, flags and names of birds
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday that the Chinese consulate in Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States, was a "center for espionage and theft of intellectual property . "
"Some employees of the United States consulate in Chengdu have carried out activities that go beyond their duties, have meddled in China's internal affairs and have endangered Chinese security and interests , " said Beijing.
These mutual retaliations occur amid deteriorating relations between the two countries, on multiple fronts, such as the repression in Hong Kong with the entry into force of a controversial security law, the Covid-19 pandemic and tensions in the South China Sea .
On Sunday, the eve of the closing, the consulate in Chengdu became an attraction for the inhabitants of this city in southwest China. Under a blue sky and suffocating heat, many onlookers came to photograph themselves in front of the building . Some were waving a Chinese flag, AFP journalists said.
The tension was palpable between the security forces, who did not tolerate provocative gestures or signs of joy that were too evident at the departure of the Americans. A young man yelling "I'm Chinese! Up with China!" was evacuated by two agents.
AFP journalists saw the security team confiscate a banner. But an inhabitant displayed an imposing Chinese flag on his balcony and shouted the name of his country. Some foreign journalists were called names of birds.
In addition to its embassy in Beijing, the United States now has four consulates in mainland China (Canton, Shanghai, Shenyang, Wuhan) and one in Hong Kong , an autonomous territory rocked last year by mass protests against the central government.
Beijing then accused Washington of being behind the riots. Chinese nationalists last week called for the closure of the US consulate in Hong Kong.
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