Albany Cuts Ties With Chinese City Amid Concerns About CCP’s Soft Influence

Published on September 13, 2024

Western Australia’s (WA) regional city of Albany has decided to cut ties with the northeastern Chinese city of Linyi after a majority council vote on Sept. 10. Eight Albany councillors voted to end the relationship, while one voted against it. While the move follows a review of Albany’s civic affiliations with five other cities, it signals a change in the region’s attitude. Councillor Thomas Brough who moved the latest motion, initially moved one in July 2023, also aimed at ending Albany’s sister-city relationship in China’s Shandong Province. That vote was defeated 9-3. The councillor was concerned the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would try to leverage the relationship to advance its influence in Australia and infiltrate the local government....

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