Several U. S. mayors, including Minnesota's Kim Norton, traveled to China at the end of 2025 on an all-expenses-paid trip organized by a pro-China group linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This trip raises concerns due to Norton’s public opposition to ICE funding and her notable engagements in China.
• The delegation, led by Mayor Kim Norton of Rochester, consisted of local leaders from various states and participated in activities promoting "pragmatic cooperation" in healthcare, education, and environmental governance.
• The trip, which took place from October 23 to November 2, included visits to several cities in China where officials engaged in discussions and signed a memorandum of understanding with Xianyang.
• The group was funded by the United States Heartland China Association (USHCA), known for its ties to the CCP’s United Front, a strategy aimed at influencing global politics in favor of China.
• The itinerary featured visits to key government and historical sites, including Mao Zedong’s Villa, along with participation in the 7th China–U. S. Sister Cities Conference.
• The signed agreement with Xianyang focuses on enhanced cooperation in areas such as education, healthcare, technology, and cultural exchanges, and emphasizes building people-to-people connections.
• Mayor Norton has not publicly answered questions regarding the funding and disclosure of the trip or informed constituents about the delegation's activities.
This trip highlights potential conflicts between local leaders' commitments to their communities and activities perceived as supportive of a regime criticized for its human rights record. The lack of transparency surrounding the funding and purpose of the trip brings into question the motivations of the participating officials.
No comments:
Post a Comment