<span style="color: #222222;">The diplomatic row between US and China has escalated. China has ordered the closure of US consulate in Chengdu in Sichuan province.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The move is being seen as in retaliation to the US decision to close down the Chinese Consulate in Houston two days ago. US State Department had alleged that the Chinese consulate in Houston was engaged in stealing of US intellectual property rights worth millions of dollars. <br />''<br />''US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also stated that today China is increasingly authoritarian at home and more aggressive in its hostility to freedom elsewhere.</span><br />''