Council Adopts Sister City Plan Despite Objections
The City Council has agreed to allow a district of Beijing to become Pasadena’s sister city in China despite the objections of opponents who say it will send the wrong message about China’s human rights record.
The council approved the sister city relationship with Xicheng, the west district of Beijing, on a 4-3 vote, rejecting a move by Councilman Paul Little to also make the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, a sister city. Tibet, a once autonomous nation, is occupied by China.
Little and Councilman William Crowfoot said the relationship with Xicheng would put Pasadena in the position of condoning China’s forced labor camps and other abuses.
Councilwoman Ann-Marie Villicana said the human rights record of the United States was far from perfect and direct contact was the only way to remove cultural barriers.
A council majority rejected the Lhasa proposal, saying it must first go through the sister cities committee. However, the council did vote to ask that committee to begin to examine such a relationship.
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