SYDNEY, April 22 (Xinhua) -- A city council in Australia's New South Wales (NSW) has overturned a previous decision to cut ties with its Chinese sister city.
Wagga Wagga City Council voted last week to sever ties with China's Kunming.
Mayor Greg Conkey, who didn't attend the meeting due to illness, said he was shocked to learn the decision and vowed to repeal it. The motion to rescind last week's decision was voted in favor by six against one on Wednesday evening.
"This act has been overwhelmingly condemned by our own councillors, our own community and by people across the country," Conkey said.
"Sadly, when poor decisions are made there is often harm that can't be undone. This may well be one of those times. We must nevertheless endeavour as best we can to right these wrongs."
The Chinese Consulate General in Sydney on Wednesday welcomed the move.
Since the establishment of the sister city relationship between Kunming and Wagga Wagga in 1988, exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two cities have achieved fruitful results, and brought great benefits to the two peoples, said a spokesperson of the Chinese Consulate General in Sydney in a statement.
The spokesperson noted that strengthening the relationship with Kunming reflects the general consensus of people from all walks of life in Wagga Wagga.
"China is ready to work with all sectors in NSW, including Wagga Wagga, to further expand friendly exchanges and practical cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, with a view to promoting the well-being of our peoples and adding more positive energy to China-Australia relations and the friendship between the two peoples." Enditem
