The United States consulate in Chengdu, China, closed on Monday morning, with the lowering of the American flag, AP reported. This came af...
The United States consulate in Chengdu, China, closed on Monday morning, with the lowering of the American flag, AP reported. This came after Beijing ordered US officials to vacate its premises within 72 hours. The Chinese order was issued on July 24, in retaliation to a US order to close the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas.
The American flag was lowered at 6.24 am local time on Monday (3.54 am Indian Standard Time). Side streets as well as a main road leading to the consulate were cordoned off, with dozens of police personnel guarding the intersections, the South China Morning Post reported. But many people lingered at the intersection, taking photographs of the blocked roads and the crowd.
There was a festive atmosphere outside the consulate almost as soon as Beijing issued orders for the US officials to leave. People travelled from far-off places in China to take photos, videos and selfies.
One of the owners of an ice jelly stall near the consulate said sales had doubled. “I can sell about 300 bowls of ice jelly now,” Tang said. “People have even flown from Xian [in the northwest] or Hainan [China’s southernmost island] to be part of this event.” But a man who tried to unfurl a large placard,...
