HOUSE RESOLUTION 17

(By Delegates R. Miller, Cowles, A. Evans, Hamilton, Hamrick, Hornbuckle, Iaquinta, Pushkin, R. Romine and Rowe)

[Introduced March 31, 2017]

Expressing support for Taiwan’s signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States, reaffirming support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation and contribution in international organizations, and expressing a desire 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. In 2016, Taiwan held its sixth direct presidential-election and inaugurated Dr. Tsai Ing-wen as its first woman 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.  August 4, 2017, will mark the 37th anniversary of the sister-state relationship between West Virginia and Taiwan.  This sister-state relationship with Taiwan has been strengthened through the efforts of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), 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, and eighth largest export destination for U.S. agricultural goods, and overall the fourteenth-largest export market. Also, 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 the signing of a United States-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 United States have combined efforts to address regional and global challenges under the mechanism of United States -Taiwan Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF), and jointly conduct capacity building programs for regional experts in areas of public health, women empowerment, energy efficiency and e-commerce. Taiwan has proven to be a valuable contributor in a broad range of global issues, and it is necessary that Taiwan be permitted meaningful participation in various international organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL); therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Delegates:

That the West Virginia House of Delegates reaffirms its commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister-state relationship between Taiwan and the State of West Virginia; commends Taiwan’s vibrant full-fledged democracy with yet another peaceful transition of government; endorses Taiwan’s efforts to secure the signing of Free Trade Agreement with the United States; 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 international societies; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor of West Virginia and to Mr. Stanley Kao, the Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States.