Bath, United Kingdom

Since 2009, Bath and North Somerset council was formerly twinned with Jiangxi, China.

On 17 Nov 2022, Liberal Democrat Councillor Andy Furse proposed a motion to sever the friendship agreement with JiangXi. Cllr Andy stated that “Over this time we have had the agreement, there has been political suppression and the breaking of international agreements in Hong Kong, expansionism in the South China Sea, serious military threats to democratic Taiwan, and now the United Nations report on human rights abuses on the Uyghur population”.

Labour Council leader Robin Moss seconded the motion and emphasised that “In fact, I would hope we would be supportive of people who are fighting for their freedom in China, who want freedom of expression in China.

Bath and North East Somerset has a proud history of promoting the advancement of human rights and standing in solidarity with those oppressed. In 1936 Bath became home to Emperor Haile Selassie, home to his campaign for international support of his homeland, Ethiopia, which had been invaded by Mussolini's fascist regime.

The Council passed the motion to de-twin with Jiangxi with majority.

Reference:

BathECHO: Council votes to cut ties with China after human rights abuses report