HOUSE RESOLUTION 8

(By Delegates  Higginbotham, Graves, Cowles, Waxman, Linville, Maynard, Hardy, Bartlett, Hornbuckle and Barrett)

[Introduced January 28, 2020]

Resolution supporting the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement between the United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan), celebrating the landmark 40^th anniversary of the sister-state ties between the State of West Virginia and Taiwan, 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, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the United States have enjoyed a longstanding partnership and share the common values of freedom, democracy and human rights. In 2019, Taiwan ranked as second freest country in Asia by Freedom House, and ranked 10^th among 180 world economies in terms of economic freedom by the Heritage Foundation, demonstrating the strength and vitality of its democratic system and showcasing Taiwan as a beacon of democracy in the world; and

Whereas, The State of West Virginia is proud of the sister-state relationship it has enjoyed with Taiwan since August 4, 1980, marked by strong bilateral trade, education and cultural exchange. In 2020, the State of West Virginia celebrates the landmark 40^th anniversary of the sister-state ties with Taiwan and looks forward to an even closer relationship between West Virginia and Taiwan in the future; and

Whereas, In 2018, the bilateral trade between West Virginia and Taiwan amounted to nearly $101.8 million, and Taiwan is our seventh-largest export market in Asia, demonstrating that Taiwan is not only a friendly sister-state of West Virginia but also an important trading partner; and

Whereas, West Virginia welcomes all opportunities for an even closer economic partnership to increase the trade and investment, endorses Taiwan’s effort to secure the signing of a U.S.-Taiwan Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) to boost greater West Virginia exports to Taiwan and considers to re-open a trade office in Taiwan to bring in more Taiwanese investment such as the $34 million project which Far Eastern New Century Corporation introduced in 2018; and

Whereas, The United States and Taiwan have forged ever stronger economic and security relations over the last four decades based on their shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law and free market principles; with United States now Taiwan’s second-largest trading partner and second-largest destination of Taiwan outward investment; and with Taiwan now the 10^th largest trading partner of the United States and a key destination for United States agricultural exports; and 

Whereas, In the 2018/19 academic year, 23,369 students from Taiwan studied in the U.S., making Taiwan the seventh-leading place of origin for students coming to the U.S. and contributed more than $902 million to the U.S. economy, through their spending on tuition, accommodation and living expenses; and

Whereas, Taiwan has been proven to be a very valuable contributor in a broad range of global issues, and is necessary to be granted access to meaningfully participate in various international organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL);

Resolved by the House of Delegates:

 Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Legislature of the State of West Virginia, endorses Taiwan’s efforts to secure the signing of Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States; commends Taiwan’s vibrant, full-fledged democracy; celebrates the landmark 40^th anniversary of sister-state ties with Taiwan; reaffirms its commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister-state relationship between the State of West Virginia and Taiwan; and continues to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation and contribution in international organizations which impact the health, safety, and well-being of its people, and supports its aspiration to make more contribution in the international community.

Further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to Governor Jim Justice of West Virginia, and another sent to Mr. Stanley Kao, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States.