SENATE RESOLUTION 65

(By Senators Prezioso, Stollings, Beach, Plymale and Boso)

[Introduced March 31, 2017]

Reaffirming support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation and contribution in international organizations, and for strengthening and expanding sister-state ties between the State of West Virginia and Taiwan.

Whereas, Taiwan shares the common values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law with the United States and the state of West Virginia; and

Whereas, In 2016 Taiwan held its sixth direct presidential election and inaugurated Dr. Tsai Ing-wen as its first female president in a peaceful transition of power, demonstrating the strength and vitality of its democratic system and showcasing Taiwan as a beacon of democracy for Asia and beyond; and

Whereas, August 4, 2017, will mark the 37th anniversary of the sister-state relationship between West Virginia and Taiwan; the sister-state relationship with Taiwan has been strengthened through the efforts of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, resulting in better mutual understanding and enhancing the friendship, trust, and cooperation between West Virginia and Taiwan; and

Whereas, The United States is Taiwan’s second-largest trading partner and second-largest destination of Taiwan outward investment; Taiwan is the tenth-largest trading partner of the United States, with bilateral trade reaching $65.3 billion in 2016; eighth-largest export destination for U. S. agricultural goods; and overall the fourteenth-largest export market; and

Whereas, In 2016, West Virginia exported more than $29.6 million to Taiwan, making it our seventh-largest Asian export market and eighteenth-largest export market in the world, demonstrating that Taiwan is not only a friendly sister-state of West Virginia but also an important trading partner; and

Whereas, By working together with Taiwan, West Virginia welcomes all opportunities for an even closer economic partnership to increase the trade and investment through signing of a U. S. Taiwan Free Trade Agreement, to boost greater West Virginia exports to Taiwan and to enhance the special sister-state bond between West Virginia and Taiwan, resulting in further cultural, educational and business exchanges between the citizens of both nations; and

Whereas, Taiwan and the U. S. have combined efforts to address regional and global challenges under the mechanisms of U. S. Taiwan Global Cooperation and Training Framework, and jointly conduct capacity building programs for regional experts in areas of public health, female empowerment, energy efficiency and e-commerce; and

Whereas, Taiwan has been proven to be a valuable contributor in a broad range of global issues which is necessary to be granted access to meaningfully participate in various international organizations including the World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change and International Criminal Police Organization; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby reaffirms support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation and contribution in international organizations, and for strengthening and expanding sister-state ties between the State of West Virginia and Taiwan; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the appropriate officials from Taiwan.