China orders to close US consulate in Chengdu

China has ordered the United States to close its consulate in the southwestern city of Chengdu, retaliating against Washington's move earlier this week to shut down the Chinese consulate in the city of Houston.

The Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday the Chengdu mission's closure was a "legitimate and necessary response to the unreasonable measures by the United States".

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the decision was taken because China was "stealing" intellectual property.

China's foreign ministry condemned the move on Twitter, saying its embassy in Washington had received death threats.

Earlier, unidentified individuals were filmed burning paper in bins in the Houston building's courtyard.

 

Dhaka/Mukul