House Concurrent Resolution 57

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING FURTHER ECONOMIC TIES AND FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN) AND THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, for decades, the United States of America and the Republic of China (Taiwan) have fostered a close relationship of enormous mutual economic, cultural and strategic benefit to both parties; and

WHEREAS, bilateral trade between the United States and Taiwan reached 65.4 billion in 2016, making Taiwan the 10th largest trading partner of the United States, and Taiwan's economic revitalization program, the five-plus-two innovative industries initiative, is boosting exchanges between the United States and Taiwan, and as the core objective of Taiwan's New Southbound Policy, forging regional links with Southeast Asian nations; and

WHEREAS, United States exports to Taiwan, combined with Taiwan's investment in the United States, support over 330,000 well paid United States jobs, and both nations could realize further economic gains through the establishment of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) as well as by enhancing the platforms of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and the Digital Economy Forum (DEF); and

WHEREAS, agribusiness continues to be one of the leading industries in Mississippi, and Taiwan is a leading importer of United States agricultural goods, regularly dispatching agricultural procurement missions to the United States every two years to sign multi-billion dollar supply deals; and

WHEREAS, designated as a priority market under the SelectUSA investment initiative by the Department of Commerce, Taiwan has been actively dispatching business delegations of Taiwan executives to participate in the SelectUSA Investment Summit since its launch in 2013, contributing to foreign direct investment which plays a critical role in the United States economy; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan made a momentous transition to democracy beginning in the late 1980s, and has been a beacon of democracy in Asia for years, with Taiwan rated as free by Freedom House 20 years in a row, an inspiring accomplishment for peace-loving nations in the world; and

WHEREAS, the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 continues to be the cornerstone of relations between the United States and Taiwan, contributing to continued peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the United States-Taiwan Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) established in June 2015, and helps address global challenges such as international humanitarian assistance and public health; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan's participation in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) since November 2012 saw travel from Taiwan to the United States increase by almost 60 percent, and, with more Americans traveling to Taiwan, the United States and Taiwan jointly launched trusted traveler programs on the 5th anniversary of Taiwan joining the VWP, making Taiwan the 12th partner worldwide and 3rd in East Asia to join the United States Global Entry program; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan acts as a natural hub to other Asian destinations, with Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration providing services for nearly 1.53 million controlled flights carrying 58 million incoming and outgoing passengers annually; and

WHEREAS, with nontraditional security threats increasing in the 21st century, the meaningful participation and inclusion of Taiwan, the 22nd largest economy in the world, to the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the World Health Assembly (WHA) would benefit all nations and all peoples; and

WHEREAS, this year marks the 35th anniversary of the sister-state relationship between Mississippi and Taiwan, a bond nurtured through mutually beneficial exchanges: 1,150 jobs in Mississippi are supported by Taiwan affiliated companies; Mississippi exported $47,700,000.00 in goods and services to Taiwan in 2016, making Taiwan the 9th largest export partner for Mississippi in Asia:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby encourage closer economic relationships between the United States and Taiwan by negotiating a BTA between the two countries; commend the introduction of reciprocal United States and Taiwan trusted traveler programs, the United States Global Entry program and the Taiwan e-Gate program, which encourages two-way tourism; support Taiwan's meaningful participation in the INTERPOL, ICAO, UNFCCC, and WHA; celebrate the 35th anniversary of the sister-state relationship between the State of Mississippi and Taiwan; commend Mr. Peter C.Y. Chen, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston, Texas, for efforts and contributions toward enhancing cooperation between Taiwan and Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Peter C.Y. Chen and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.