Chinese officials entered the grounds of the US consulate in Chengdu on Monday shortly after the last of Washington's employees left, ending a Cold War-style episode of mutual sanctions. Very symbolically, the star-spangled banner of the United States had been lowered shortly before inside the diplomatic complex, according to images on Chinese television. Unlike in previous days, foreign journalists were not allowed by the police to approach the diplomatic representation.
In a brief statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed the closure of the consulate and said that China had "taken possession" of the building at 10 am local time. A little earlier, employees left the diplomatic compound on foot. Some carried a backpack while others pushed their bikes in their hands. The day before, a coach with tinted windows had left the diplomatic enclosure, to the boos of part of the public.
Espionage charges
Opened in 1985, the US consulate in Chengdu became the last subject on Friday in a long list of disputes between Beijing and Washington, when China ordered the mission to close. The move was the Communist regime's response to the Trump administration's forced closure of its Houston consulate in the United States, amid Cold War-style espionage charges.
Beijing protested after the forced entry of US agents on Friday after the departure of Chinese officials. This building is "a national property of China", had underlined the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, referring to international law.