China orders the closure of US consulate in Chengdu

China has ordered the closure of the US consulate located in Chengdu.

According to the East Asian country, the move comes after the United States ordered the closure of China’s consulate in Houston earlier this week.

Mike Pompeo, the Security of State, said America’s decision was taken because China was reportedly ‘stealing’ intellectual property.

Tension between the US and China have been rising over several key issues, including clashes with Beijing over trade and the coronavirus pandemic.

China's new security law in Hong Kong was also among the topics disputed by both countries.