The big picture
Austin keeps up several international relationships through its Sister and Friendship Cities Program, meant to support the city's presence on the global stage. Today, Austin's Sister Cities span North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Under the Sister Cities program, local and foreign representatives participate in exchanges centered around economic development. Each Sister City relationship is supported by a committee of mainly local residents who coordinate exchanges, keep up communications and report on civic activities.
The program is managed by Austin's Economic Development Department and nonprofit Austin Sister Cities International. Austin entered into its first partnership with Saltillo, Mexico, in 1968 and finalized its most recent addition in December when Mayor Kirk Watson signed an agreement with Limerick, Ireland.
The approach
While Texas formally encourages sister city initiatives, a new law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on June 20 will require Austin to withdraw from its longtime partnership with Xishuangbanna, China, this fall.
House Bill 128 from state Rep. Angelia Orr, R-Itasca, will ban Texas sister city programs involving "foreign adversary" nations—China, Iran, North Korea, Russia or any country designated by the governor as a threat to critical infrastructure. Under HB 128, which goes into effect in September, the city will have to back out of its Xishuangbanna agreement by Oct. 1. City spokesperson Erik Johnson said Austin is now preparing for that and other legislative impacts from this spring.
“The city is aware and has begun planning the necessary steps to operationalize new laws passed by the Texas Legislature. A staff briefing is expected to City Council next month," Johnson said.
Austin's sister city relationship with Xishuangbanna stretches back to late 1997, when local officials voted to launch the economic, educational, cultural and technological partnership "in order to promote further friendship and goodwill."
The city and Austin Sister Cities International didn't respond to questions about the results of the 28-year Chinese partnership or the impact of HB 128 as of press time. The most recent public update came in 2014, when members of a business delegation from Xishuangbanna were recognized by City Council as honorary Austinites.
Additionally, gifts like ceramics, figurines and educational materials have been donated by Xishuangbanna to Austin through the Ceremonial Conveyances program. Austin ISD has also held cultural exchange programming with the prefecture.
