HOUSE RESOLUTION 9

(By Delegates Howell, Adkins, Akers, Anderson, Bridges, Burkhammer, Butler, Campbell, Cannon, Chiarelli, T. Clark, W. Clark, Cooper, Coop-Gonzalez, Criss, Crouse, Dean, DeVault, Dittman, Espinosa, Fast, Ferhenbacher, Ferrell, Fluharty, Foggin, Foster, Garcia, Griffith, W. Hall, Hansen, Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker), Heckert, Hillenbrand, Hite, Holstein, Hornbuckle, Hornby, Hott, Householder, Jeffries, Kelly, Lewis, Linville, Longanacre, Lucas, Mallow, Martin, Mazzocchi, Miller, Petitto, Pinson, C. Pritt, E. Pritt, Ridenour, Riley, Rohrbach, Ross, Rowe, Shamblin, Sheedy, Smith, Statler, Steele, Stephens, Summers, Thorne, Toney, Ward, Warner, Williams, Willis, Winzenreid, Young, and Zatezalo)

[Introduced February 2, 2024; Referred to the Committee on Rules.]

Resolution reaffirming the longstanding sisterhood partnership between West Virginia and Taiwan.

Whereas, The United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) enjoy an enduring partnership and share the common values of freedom, democracy and human rights; on January 13, 2024, Taiwan smoothly completed its eighth presidential election through a fair and free process, setting another milestone in its democratic development; the West Virginia Legislature congratulates President-elect Lai Ching-te and Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim on their successful election; and

Whereas, On August 4, 1980, West Virginia established a cherished sisterhood partnership with Taiwan; in 2024, the aforementioned partnership was celebrated by both West Virginia and Taiwan to further boost even closer relations; and

Whereas, The year 2024 marks the milestone 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act; the United States and Taiwan have forged ever stronger economic relations over decades; West Virginia supports the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD) and the Technology, Trade and Investment Collaboration Framework (TTIC); and

Whereas, Taiwan holds a key position in the global economy and plays a vital role in world’s ICT industry as well as high-tech global supply chains; West Virginia supports the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA) between the United States and Taiwan to boost both national and greater West Virginia exports to Taiwan and bring more Taiwanese investment to West Virginia; and

Whereas, In 2022, the trade volume between West Virginia and Taiwan amounted to nearly $175 million ($120 million in 2021) and Taiwan is our 3rd largest source of imports and 5th largest export market in Asia, underscoring Taiwan's steadfast role as a key trading partner of West Virginia; in 2022, the West Virginia Taiwan Office was reopened, and West Virginia welcomes more Taiwanese companies investing in the Mountain State; and

Whereas, In February 2023, the West Virginia Department of Education signed an MOU with Taiwan's Ministry of Education as part of the U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative; West Virginia looks forward to enhancing educational exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan; and

Whereas, Taiwan has proven to be a vital role in regional geopolitics and a force for good in the world, and it is necessary for Taiwan to be granted access to participate in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) as well as various international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL); therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Delegates:

The House of Delegates of West Virginia, reaffirms its commitment to strengthen the sisterhood partnership with Taiwan; commends Taiwan's vibrant full-fledged democracy; and continues to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in and contributions to the international stage; and be it

Further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to Governor James C. Justice, II of West Virginia and another sent to Ambassador Alexander Yui of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States.