SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 46

(By Senators Browning, Foster, Kessler (Acting President), Wells, Plymale, Prezioso, McCabe, Stollings, Yost and Williams)

Recognizing the Republic of China (Taiwan), on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.

    Whereas, August 4, 2011, will mark the 31^st anniversary of a sister-state relationship between West Virginia and Taiwan; and

    Whereas, This year marks the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China (Taiwan); and

    Whereas, For the past 31 years, 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

    Whereas, The Republic of China (Taiwan), with a population of 23 million, has endeavored to improve cross-Strait relations since President Ma Ying-Jeou came to power in 2008, and it is encouraging that 5 rounds of talks have been held and 15 agreements have been signed between Taiwan and mainland China since then; and

    Whereas, The cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), signed on June 29, 2010, can serve as an effective platform for cross-Strait interactions and contribute to normalization of trade and economic relations between Taiwan and mainland China; and

    Whereas, The UN’s World Health Organization (WHO) invited Taiwan to attend the World Health Assembly in 2009 and 2010 as an observer, setting precedents for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN’s specialized agencies; and

    Whereas, Taiwan’s absence from the international organizations dealing with climate change like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has impeded Taiwan’s ability to respond to natural disasters like Typhoon Morakot, which struck Taiwan in the summer of 2009; and

    Whereas, The Taoyuan International Airport is a key air transport hub in the Asia-Pacific region, ranked the world’s 15^th largest by cargo volume in 2008, and 365,000 Americans traveled to Taiwan for business and leisure during 2009, consolidating aviation safety and regulation in Taiwan also a priority for Americans’ safety and best interests; given Taiwan’s prominent role in regional air control and transport services like meaningful participating in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), it would be beneficial for Taiwan, to safeguard the traveling of passengers from home and abroad; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Senate:

    That the Senate hereby recognizes the Republic of China (Taiwan), on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Senate affirms its support for West Virginia’s sister-state relationship with Taiwan; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the appropriate representatives from the Republic of China (Taiwan).