Dear Senator Blackburn,
Recently the Chattanooga Times Free Press quoted you as saying that sister cities relationships between US and Chinese cities “may be Beijing’s newest political weapon” and that “across the globe China has exploited these relationships, which are ostensibly intended to promote cultural exchange, to achieve geostrategic goals.”
You further asserted that it is “imperative that we shed light on these partnerships to determine whether they leave American communities vulnerable to foreign espionage and ideological coercion.”
My initial reaction upon reading that was WHAT? Whence, Senator Blackburn, did you glean your (mis)information and your ideas? I maintain that your assertions are as (in)substantial as Trump’s claims of election fraud, in other words, baseless.
Sister Cities International, as you may know, was founded while Dwight Eisenhower was President; he maintained that peace did not come through government actions, rather by people-to-people friendships and citizen diplomacy. The organization was founded to spark cultural exchanges through which individuals from partner cities could develop personal relationships.
The Sister City Association of Chattanooga actively works to promote such connections with our various ‘sisters.’ Each city’s relationship with us is different, depending on a number of factors. Hamm, Germany is our oldest sister city, and over the years hundreds of Chattanoogans have visited Hamm and even more ‘Hammer’ have visited Chattanooga. These are almost always homestays, and so many deep friendships have developed as result. The same is true of Tono, Japan and to a lesser degree, Nizhni Tagil, Russia. I have been fortunate to visit five of our sister cities and have had rich experiences and developed a number of long-term friendships. That’s what SCI and SCA promote.
You said, Senator Blackburn, that partnerships between Chinese and American cities are ostensibly intended to promote cultural exchange. I’d like to shed a bit of light about our relationship with Wuxi. We have sponsored exchanges where we sent musicians to Wuxi to perform, and they have sent musicians to us. We have organized several art exchanges. There have been two high school student exchange groups.
Predominantly with Wuxi, however, visitors have been adults. They have typically been government employees and business leaders. Because there is a language barrier, their visits have not been homestays. Nevertheless, the last three groups of Wuxi visitors all came to my home for tea, lunch, or dinner. SCA members were invited as well, and groups were mixed with both Chinese and Americans at each table.
The first delegation at my home came for afternoon tea. I had asked a musician friend to join us and play American songs on my piano, to the delight of all the Chinese. Everyone wanted to have his or her photo made with the pianist. Moreover, each wanted a photo in front of an antique Chinese armoire in my living room. They were intrigued by my Victorian home and toured the downstairs, where they snapped many pictures of my kitchen, all my Asian furniture and artifacts, even my parents’ wedding photo. They seemed thrilled to be in an American home and catch a glimpse of how Americans live.
My first trip to Wuxi occurred the following year; six Chattanoogans attended a conference Wuxi hosted for delegates from each of their numerous sister and friendship cities, about 250 people in all. Of the eight delegates who had been to Chattanooga the prior year, four ran up to me upon my arrival saying, “You’re Karen! I was at your house!” They not only gave me photos they had taken at my home, but two reciprocated my invitation.
One, a Mr. Zhi, invited our entire group of six to his house. We not only had tea and fruits, most of which were from his garden, but were also treated to a tour throughout his quite lovely three-story home where he lives with his wife, daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. It was a great insight into how Chinese live and to see what differed from and what was similar to American lifestyles.
The other invitation came from the vice-president of the Wuxi Communist party. He treated our group to a feast in a grand hotel banquet room. Tables were set with the typical lazy Susan in the center, filled with much more food that we could possibly eat. Confession: in order to avoid such delicacies as chicken feet and duck tongue, I heaped my plate with vegetables and fish so nobody would notice I had passed on some of the unfamiliar specialties.
The following year in Chattanooga, Wuxi visitors and a few SCA members came to have lunch on my deck. Afterward, the English-speaking group leader Zhao Ming approached me and asked if we might speak privately in my kitchen. After profuse thanks for the gathering and the meal, he spoke of how wonderful it had been to see an American home and have an informal gathering with SCA members. “This is what it’s about,” said he, “mingling with the natives!” I was amused by his idiomatic use of our language but so pleased that he understood SCA’s commitment to promote cultural exchange and friendships. Ostensibly, Senator Blackburn? This is exactly what Sister Cities encourages!
A year later I was again in Wuxi, and Mr. Zhi invited our new group of Chattanooga travelers to his home. That time he told me I was invited to stay with his family any time I was in Wuxi and that he and his wife wanted to return to Chattanooga and stay in my home. It hasn’t happened yet, but I am honored by the invitation and look forward to hosting them and being hosted by them. Such is the goal of Sister Cities International. Nothing subversive; no espionage; no ideological coercion.
In the compelling 2019 film Crescendo, a group of young Palestinian and Israeli musicians traveled to Austria to rehearse for and present a peace concert. The conductor had to contend with tensions, arguments, and bigotry among the musicians. One day an Israeli youth yelled at the conductor that he couldn’t work with his enemy. “An enemy,” countered the maestro, “is someone whose story you haven’t heard.”
Senator Blackburn, that’s what SCA and SCI provide: an opportunity for us to hear others’ stories. I wish for you the opportunity to hear the stories of people from other countries and cultures. As a matter of fact, the next time a Wuxi delegation comes to Tennessee, perhaps you’d be willing to host an event for them. In addition, when Chattanooga is next invited to travel to Wuxi, I will send you an invitation to join our delegation and hope you will join us. What a grand opportunity for you to see for yourself what our Sister Cities partnership is about and to hear stories of our Wuxi friends.
Mark Twain, in his novel Innocents Abroad, wrote that “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.” I invite you, Senator Blackburn, to travel with us – to Wuxi and our other sister cities – and learn first-hand what Sister Cities is about. Hear stories. Join us as we work to promote peace through people-to-people friendships.
Most sincerely,
Karen Claypool, President
Sister City Association of Chattanooga
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Dear Mrs. Claypool,
Your comments regarding student and cultural exchange also bring to mind Hunter Art Museum's Christmas exhibit during the 1960s, "Christmas Trees Around The World." The exhibit was an annual field trip for elementary school students. The trees were authentically decorated and loving roped off. They were beautiful and intriguing. But more importantly, they allowed children a peek of the outside world and the opportunity to see our similarities and differences.
I feel fortunate to have grown up in a city that celebrated both! It is my understanding that the museum discontinued the exhibit due to insurance constraints. I wish the exhibit could be reinstated for children today.
I appreciate your comments.
Connie Jackson
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This seems hopelessly naïve regarding China. Getting a jab at Senator Blackburn and President Trump does not seem nonpartisan. I am personally aware of some of the fraud in the Georgia election.
Blackburn has nothing to personally gain by asking review of a program which gives elected officials junkets abroad at taxpayer expense. Other rich folks who go enjoy it. She may be stepping on some toes.
The senator is justifiably concerned about China’s willingness to utilize a friendly and educational venue for nefarious intent at our perhaps large and grave expense. Thank God that someone is watching out for us.
Former FBI Director Comey and current FBI Director Wray both agree China is the most dangerous adversary America faces. China is waring against every significant nation in the South Pacific area. The Chinese most revered war strategist Sun Tzu focused on deceit and willingness to appear to submit to foes. Whether it is recruiting a Harvard professor or the lonely errant businessman coming to Peking, all are targets.
It is no accident China is sending CCP administrators and businessmen to this program. Whatever works, the CCP does not accept traditional moral rules. I hope the writer will pray for the detainees in Chinese reeducation camps whose organs are being harvested and sold as I write.
Jim Folkner
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I would refer Ms. Claypool to the recent publication "Hidden Hand: How the Chinese Communist Party is Reshaping the World" by Clive Hamilton. In it she will find convincing arguments that in China everything is the Party and the Party is everything. There is no casual meeting between any governmental or non-governmental body and the West that is not in some way controlled by the CCP and with certainty every meeting is well reported and documented.
Enjoy your "tea" with your Chinese friends, but never forget who they work for.
Steve Petarra