Newport, United Kingdom

Newport, a city in Wales, was formerly twinned with Guangxi, a Chinese autonomous region. The city council of Newport cut ties with Guangxi after a petition signed by nearly 40,000 people called for the city to decouple with Guangxi.

Guangxi is where the infamous Yulin “Lychee and Dog Meat” festival takes place annually. It is estimated that over 10,000 dogs are tortured and consumed each year over the 10-day festival. The practice promoted the kidnapping of pets and stray dogs for the purpose of torturing, butchering, beating, and skinning them alive for consumption.

The motion to end the twinning agreement with Guangxi was passed unanimously. The council condemned the Yulin Dog Meat Festival in a letter sent to officials from Guangxi and to urge the UK government to raise the issue with the Chinese government.