{"id":2502746,"date":"2025-10-24T13:10:02","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T17:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/marsha-blackburn-questions-bowser-over-beijing-removal-as-dcs-sister-city\/"},"modified":"2025-10-24T13:11:35","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T17:11:35","slug":"marsha-blackburn-questions-bowser-over-beijing-removal-as-dcs-sister-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/marsha-blackburn-questions-bowser-over-beijing-removal-as-dcs-sister-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Marsha Blackburn questions Bowser over Beijing removal as DC&#8217;s &#8216;sister city&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmarsha-blackburn-questions-bowser-over-beijing-removal-as-dcs-sister-city%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2502746&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), along with several Republican colleagues, is investigating whether Washington, D.C. has officially ended its &#8220;sister city&#8221; relationship with Beijing, China. The inquiry follows the removal of Beijing from the district&#8217;s official sister city list on its municipal website in August, without any formal proclamation.Since 1984, Washington, D.C. and Beijing had been sister cities, a partnership meant to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/greta-thunberg-rips-leaders-for-whatever-the-fk-they-are-doing-in-there-at-climate-summit\/\" title=\"Greta Thunberg Rips Leaders for &#039;Whatever the F**k They Are Doing in There&#039; at Climate Summit\">foster international cooperation<\/a>. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/in-depth-biden-administration-draws-bipartisan-fire-for-not-anticipating-sudan-crisis\/\" title=\"Biden criticized for not foreseeing Sudan crisis.\">senators express concern<\/a> that such agreements might be exploited by foreign governments, notably China, to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >advance soft power<\/a>, spread propaganda, or suppress dissent. They have requested clarification from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser&#8217;s office regarding the status of this relationship, copies of any relevant agreements, and whether other sister city partnerships are under review. This examination is part of a broader republican effort to scrutinize foreign influence through sister city relationships, especially with countries considered adversaries to U.S. interests. Senator blackburn has also introduced legislation aimed at protecting these international partnerships from potential foreign exploitation.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Marsha Blackburn questions Bowser over decision to remove Beijing as DC&rsquo;s &lsquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/crime-corruption-and-incompetence-pay-for-dem-city-leaders\/\" title=\"Crime, Corruption, And Incompetence Pay For Dem City Leaders\">sister city&#038;rsquo<\/a>;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2382659\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>EXCLUSIVE<\/strong> <strong>&mdash;<\/strong> Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marsha-blackburn\/\">Marsha Blackburn<\/a> (R-TN) is leading an inquiry into the status of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Washington-DC\/\">Washington, D.C.<\/a>&lsquo;s, relationship as a &ldquo;sister city&rdquo; with Beijing, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/China\/\">China<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Blackburn and several other GOP senators sent a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blackburn.senate.gov\/services\/files\/0E05261C-CB1E-4E52-AEB7-5A5CFE297603\">letter<\/a> to Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, questioning whether the district&rsquo;s &ldquo;sister city&rdquo; status with the Chinese capital has been revoked and calling for greater transparency on the matter.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/3863046\/ontario-doug-ford-ronald-reagan-video-led-trump-terminate-trade-talks\/\">Ontario leader posts Reagan video that led to Trump terminating trade talks<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/3862971\/lithuania-accuses-russia-violating-airspace\/\">Lithuania accuses Russia of violating airspace: &lsquo;Blatant breach of international law&rsquo;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/3861333\/trump-gaza-peace-deal-israel-hamas-netanyahu\/\">Trump leveraged Israel and Hamas&#8217;s fear of him to clinch ceasefire deal<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Washington, D.C., and Beijing became <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/sistercities.org\/about-us\/what-is-a-sister-city-3\/\">&ldquo;sister cities&rdquo; in 1984<\/a>, marking a long-term partnership between the two capitals. Beijing was removed as a &ldquo;sister city&rdquo; partner from the district&rsquo;s municipal website in August without an announcement of a change in status, according to the Republican lawmakers.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Given the national security implications, we believe it is important to ensure that all formal and informal agreements between U.S. and foreign municipalities are not exploited by foreign government &mdash; particularly the People&rsquo;s Republic of China &mdash; as vehicles to advance soft-power objectives, disseminate propaganda, or suppress dissenting voices,&rdquo; the Republican senators wrote in their letter to Bowser&rsquo;s office.<\/p>\n<p>Washington, D.C., and Beijing are still listed as &ldquo;sister city&rdquo; partners on Sister Cities International&rsquo;s online <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/sistercities.org\/membership-directory\/\">membership directory<\/a>. However, the district&rsquo;s website does not include Beijing as one of its <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/os.dc.gov\/service\/dc-sister-cities\">14 current<\/a> &ldquo;sister cities.&rdquo; Washington, D.C., has partnerships with other international cities such as Bangkok, Thailand; Paris, France; and San Salvador, El Salvador.<\/p>\n<p>Blackburn and co-signers Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Ted Budd (R-NC) requested information on whether the &ldquo;sister city&rdquo; status was terminated or suspended. They also asked Bowser&rsquo;s office for a copy of any agreement on the &ldquo;sister city&rdquo; relationship with Beijing and whether the district is looking to review or reassess &ldquo;sister city&rdquo; agreements with other international cities.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are certain you share our commitment to protecting U.S. communities from potential foreign influence and safeguarding American interests,&rdquo; the lawmakers wrote.<\/p>\n<p>The letter comes as part of a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/1266420\/republican-lawmakers-push-for-greater-scrutiny-of-chinese-sister-cities-in-us\/\">greater effort <\/a>by Republican lawmakers to investigate how &ldquo;sister city&rdquo; relationships with adversarial countries can be used against the United States. Though the push first gained momentum in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/1266420\/republican-lawmakers-push-for-greater-scrutiny-of-chinese-sister-cities-in-us\/\">2023<\/a>, Blackburn introduced a series of acts focused on investigating foreign influence in late July this year.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3862419\/trump-asia-trip-tensions-russia-shutdown-israel\/\">TRUMP TO TAKE OFF FOR ASIA AMID TENSION FLARING OVER SHUTDOWN, RUSSIA, AND ISRAEL<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The District of Columbia Sister City Integrity Act, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/119th-congress\/senate-bill\/2565\/text\">Senate Bill 2565<\/a>, targets the district&rsquo;s partnerships with foreign adversaries.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. has approximately 132 &ldquo;sister city&rdquo; partnerships with Chinese cities, according to Sister Cities International.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Blackburn probes Bowser on removing Beijing as DC sister city<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2502747,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25280563054883.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[65847,20645,65848,36957,36160],"class_list":["post-2502746","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-beijing-removal","tag-bowser","tag-dc-sister-city","tag-marsha-blackburn","tag-political-controversy"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25280563054883.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2502746","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2502746"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2502746\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2502750,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2502746\/revisions\/2502750"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2502747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2502746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2502746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2502746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}