China asked U.S. to shut Chengdu consulate 

China asked U.S. to shut Chengdu consulate 

Part of: GS Mains II – International affairs; Cold War-­style diplomacy 

In news: 

• China ordered the U.S.  to shut Chengdu consulate in retaliation for one of its missions in the US being shuttered. 
• U.S. ­China ties have deteriorated sharply this year over issues ranging from the pandemic and telecoms­-gear maker Huawei to China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and its clampdown on Hong Kong 
• Recent issues – arrests of Chinese researchers at U.S. universities and closure of consulates from both countries.