In a sign of fraying ties amid the Middle East conflict , Israel’s consulate general in Chengdu has closed, with its consul general leaving his post, two years after a controversy stoked backlash among Chinese web users. Nevertheless, an analyst has downplayed the impact of the news, saying bilateral relations in recent years had already been strained. “Although the consulate general is closing, the bridges of friendship, mutual respect and shared memories we built over the last five years will endure,” Harpaz wrote. Following an initial announcement in June, the consulate in Chengdu officially ceased operations in July. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has described Israel’s actions in Gaza as having “gone beyond self-defence”.