KATHMANDU: With diplomatic tensions heightening between China and America, the American flag was lowered at the United States consulate in Chengdu on Monday morning.

Footage on state broadcaster CCTV from outside the consulate showed the flag being slowly lowered early Monday, after diplomatic ties between the two powers worsened with both alleging the other had endangered national security.

Earlier, Beijing had ordered US Consulate General in Chengdu to close in retaliation for the shuttering of the Chinese consulate in Houston.

Relations deteriorated in recent weeks in a Cold War-style standoff, with the Chengdu mission Friday ordered to shut in retaliation for the forced closure of Beijing’s consulate in Houston, Texas.

The deadline for the Americans to exit Chengdu has been unclear, but the Chinese consulate in Houston was given 72 hours to close after the original order was made.

(With inputs from Agencies)