US CLOSES CONSULATE IN CHENGDU

The US consulate in Chengdu, China has been closed as tensions between the two countries rise.

China ordered the shutdown of the consulate after the US closed the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas.

Euronews reported the move marked an escalation in the countries' mounting array of conflicts including trade, the handling of the coronavirus pandemic, technology, spying accusations, Hong Kong and allegations of abuses against Chinese Muslims.

Diplomatic staff in Chengdu left the consulate and the US flag was lowered.

China's foreign ministry said that "competent authorities" had taken over the consulate.