The US Department of State confirmed that the US consulate general in Chinese city of Chengdu ceased operations Monday, AP reported.

The Department of State announced that the mission closed at 10am local time.

According to the AP report, the US diplomatic agency expressed its regret in regards to closure of the consulate, adding that other missions in China will continue to operate.

On July 21, Washington demanded China to close its consulate general in Houston, citing alleged theft of US technologies, improper use of the student exchange system, and what it called an employee behavior, incompatible with a standard practice of diplomatic behavior. The same day, Beijing demanded that the US close its consulate general in Chengdu.