CARMEL, Ind. — Carmel has officially withdrawn from its relationship with the U.S. Heartland China Association, according to a letter obtained by FOX59/CBS4.
Carmel’s new mayor, Sue Finkum, sent a letter to the Heartland China Association of America on Wednesday, saying she will withdraw from the association effective January 2, 2024. According to Carmel city officials, Carmel is the first city to join the association. In 2022, the annual rate will be $25,000.
“This decision was reached after careful consideration and evaluation of our city’s priorities and strategic partnerships,” the letter to Bob Holden, president and president of the American Heartland China Association, said. There is. Mr. Holden is a Democratic former governor of Missouri.
According to its website, the U.S. Heartland China Association is a 501( c) 3 nonpartisan organizations.
This comes after U.S. Congressman Jim Banks (Republican, India’s 3rd District) called on Carmel to end its sister city relationship with Xiangyang, China. According to previous reports, Banks said Carmel “could take the lead by becoming the first of many Indiana cities to abandon sister city agreements and distance themselves from the Chinese Communist Party.” said.
In response to Banks, Indiana Rep. Mitch Gore (D-89th District) attempted to add a sister city amendment to House Bill 1183, according to previous reports.
The amendment did not make it into the final version of the bill, but Gore told FOX59/CBS4 at the time that he considered the issue a bipartisan issue and had given up hope of getting anything done on the topic in the future. He said no.
“I think all Hoosiers agree that our elected officials are there to represent us and that Chinese Communist Party members should not be having drinks with them.” Gore said at the time. “It’s very simple. We expect our elected officials to be ethical and honest, and as China attempts to influence American government officials, we need to avoid that.” I know there is. So I think this is a bipartisan issue.”
Finkham said in a statement that Carmel made the decision to withdraw from the association in his first month in office. Finkum said he is focused on the needs and priorities of Carmel residents and stressed that the annual fee paid by taxpayers could be “better spent.”
“As stated above, the Chinese Communist Party has no influence over the city of Carmel,” Finkum said. “Sister city relationships around the world, such as the one we have with Xiangyang, provide great cultural value to our residents, including the many freedom-loving Chinese Americans who call our great city home. I am.”
In a statement, Banks praised Finkum’s decision to sever ties with the association.
“This is a dangerous group that puts the Chinese Communist Party and its interests first,” Banks said. “We hope that next week, other officials in Indiana and the Midwest will learn more about the Heartland Association and China’s growing influence and take similar steps.”