China Courts U.S. Mayors for Local Ties Amid Beijing-Washington Tensions
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Chinese officials are actively courting U.S. mayors and local leaders to build economic and cultural ties, sidestepping tensions between Beijing and Washington.
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Chinese cities competed to host a recent delegation of American mayors, eager for international engagement after years of pandemic isolation.
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These outreach efforts face resistance in the U.S. amid high public distrust of China and fears of foreign interference ahead of the 2024 elections.
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Some U.S. local leaders, like the mayor of Rochester, Minnesota, are interested in partnerships with China for investment and technology despite national policies limiting engagement.
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China has previously required U.S. cities to agree to "one China" policies on Taiwan as a condition of sister city agreements, but support for Taiwan has since become a way for U.S. officials to signal a tough stance on China.