2014
– S 2826
Enacted
04/15/14
S E N A T E R
E S O L U T I O N
SUPPORTING
BILATERAL TRADE RELATIONS AND TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS
Introduced By: Senator William A.Walaska
Date Introduced: March 25, 2014
WHEREAS, Taiwan is an island with a population of
23 million people. Since coming into power in 2008, Taiwan's President Ma Ying-Jeou has worked tirelessly
to support our common values of freedom and democracy, improve cross-Strait
relations, attain broader recognition in international governmental and
nongovernmental organizations, progress in signing free trade agreements with
other nations, and more fully participate in regional economic integration
processes; and
WHEREAS, In April of 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) invited
Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) to attend the 62nd World Health Assembly as an
observer, thus setting a precedent for United Nations specialized agencies to
recognize Taiwan as an entity; and
WHEREAS, Full membership in international
organizations and recognition of Taiwan would allow the people of Taiwan to
contribute their well-developed knowledge, skills, and resources to issues that
not only directly affect them, but also the United States, and other nations
around the globe; and
WHEREAS, Being barred from international economic
organizations and inhibited or excluded from free trade agreements impedes
Taiwan’s ability to be competitive on an international level and hinders the
economic liberalization of its domestic economy as well as further regional
integration; and
WHEREAS, Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans travel to Taiwan
for business and leisure. In 2012, Taiwan became a member of the United
States Visa Waiver Program reflecting the friendship, trust, and cooperation
shared between the United States and Taiwan; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan has and continues to make meaningful contributions to
the world community. It is the 18th largest trading economy in the world and
the 11th largest trading partner of the United States; now, therefore be
it
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations hereby fully supports bilateral trade relations and Taiwan’s
meaningful participation in International Organizations; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and
directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Anne Hung,
Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston.
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LC005217
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