Chinese embassy in Ecuador will be temporarily closed from Jan 10

The Chinese embassy and consulates general in Ecuador will be temporarily closed from Jan. 10 until further notice, according to a statement on Wednesday.

In the face of escalating violence in recent days, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa signed an executive decree, declaring the South American country in a state of "internal armed conflict", identifying several organised crime groups as terrorist organizations and non-state belligerents.

The president ordered the armed forces to operate within the framework of international humanitarian law.