Wagga council overturns sister city decision, earning praise of some residents

The original motion narrowly passed at last week's council meeting sparked widespread backlash with community leaders, politicians and even the Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney weighing in on the matter.

It triggered an extraordinary council meeting on Wednesday night when councillors rescinded the decision and resolved to issue an apology to the city of Kunming.

Wagga resident Denise Ma, a woman of Chinese heritage, said she was pleased by the outcome because sister city relationships were about fostering cultural and economic goodwill between the citizens of two cities.

Mrs Ma said the connection to Kunming was important because it gives opportunities for everyone to communicate and learn from each other.

A number of Chinese-Australians spoke in favour of ending the sister city relationship at the meeting, describing to councillors the threats they had received by the Chinese government.

A council spokesperson confirmed these people did not live in the Wagga area. It was news that left Mrs Ma shocked and appalled.

"They are three people who obviously suffered, but the way forward is to keep communication open so we can keep learning from each other," she said.

Craig Couzens, who is a resident of Wagga, said that "sense and logic" had finally returned, believing the intent of the original decision was misdirected.

"We have a very good relationship with the people of Kunming and I don't think it was reasonable to cherry-pick that part of China," he said. "We should direct any criticism at the people at the top."

Mayor Greg Conkey said the council received 48 emails from local residents about the decision, 47 of which were against cutting the ties.

"I've been heartened by the overwhelming condemnation by Wagga people in the actions of those who supported this motion and have been heartened by the overwhelming support for our sister city," he said.

Although Cr Conkey said a great deal of damage was done and only time will heal the wounds.

Cr Paul Funnell, who moved the original motion but said he never expected for it to pass, stood firmly behind his vote, which he said was supported by hundreds of Chinese-Australians.

Lucy Zhao was one of the people who pleaded for council to stand-by its decision.

She said the entire world was watching Wagga to take a stand in the face of the Chinese government's pressure.