Ft Wayne Times

Today, Rep. Jim Banks, a member of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, has urged Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam to withdraw the city from its sister cities agreement with Xiangyang City, China. The agreement was signed by former Mayor Jim Brainard during his visit to China in November 2023.

In a letter addressed to Mayor Finkam, Rep. Banks emphasized the need for Carmel to distance itself from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He stated, "Carmel has a great opportunity to turn the page and hopefully lead the way by becoming the first of many Indiana cities to drop its sister city agreement and distance itself from the Chinese Communist Party."

Rep. Banks highlighted the CCP's strategy of entering into sister-city agreements with cities across the United States to influence state and local governments. He expressed concerns about China leveraging these agreements to force non-American politicians to endorse its one-China policy.

The letter also mentioned the efforts being made by Indiana state lawmakers to counter CCP influence. Rep. Banks noted that the Indiana General Assembly advanced a bill, H.B. 1183, which aims to prohibit Chinese nationals from owning or leasing agricultural land in the state.

Rep. Banks called on Mayor Finkam to seize the golden opportunity to disentangle Carmel from the Chinese Communist Party and play a crucial role in combating CCP influence in Indiana.

During a Select Committee on China hearing, Rep. Banks questioned former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the dangers of sister city agreements. Secretary Pompeo responded by emphasizing the ulterior motives behind the Chinese Communist Party's gestures, stating, "When the Chinese Communist Party shows up at your school and offers a free swing set, it is not because they care about the health of your children… This is an effort at every level for the Chinese Communist Party to have the capacity to influence our government. The Chinese Communist Party is truly evil."

It is worth noting that Rep. Banks has previously raised concerns about sister cities. In 2021, he sent a letter to Secretaries Blinken and Mayorkas as well as FBI Director Wray regarding the dangers associated with these agreements.

Rep. Banks' call for Carmel to sever ties with Xiangyang City echoes the growing concerns about CCP influence and the need to protect American interests. As other Indiana cities and state lawmakers join the fight against CCP influence, Carmel has the opportunity to lead by example and safeguard its autonomy from the Chinese Communist Party.