House Concurrent Resolution 105

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

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

WHEREAS, the United States and Taiwan signed a joint statement regarding cooperation on an International Expedited Traveler Initiative in 2016, which encourages further exchanges and interaction between the two peoples, as travel from Taiwan to the United States has increased by more than 50 percent since the announcement of Taiwan's participation in the Visa Waiver Program in 2012 and the United States now ranks as the 5th highest source of tourists to Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, the United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) engage in robust bilateral trade and investment, evidenced by the fact that Taiwan supports over 330,000 jobs in the United States and is the United States' 10th largest trading partner in 2016, the largest per capita importer of United States agricultural products, and Mississippi's 9th largest export partner in Asia, as the state exported $47,700,000 in goods and services to Taiwan in 2016; 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 United States 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, according to the Heritage Foundation, Taiwan ranked 11th among 186 countries and placed 5th in the Asia-Pacific region in the 2017 global rankings for economic freedom, and the United States and the State of Mississippi will benefit from closer economic relationships with Taiwan by negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA); and

WHEREAS, under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework established in June 2015, the United States and Taiwan have worked in a mutually beneficial partnership to address global challenges in such areas as international humanitarian assistance, public health, environmental protection, energy, technology, education and regional development; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan remains a beacon of democracy, inspiring many countries and people in the Asia-Pacific region, and the results of Taiwan's 2016 presidential election that marked the country's third peaceful transition of political power since the first popular vote for President held in 1996 and Taiwan's first transition of national legislative majority since 1949 prove Taiwan as a worthy member candidate for the Communities of Democracies (CD); and

WHEREAS, Taiwan is an important and enduring economic and security partner of the United States, as the Taiwan Relations Act, enacted in 1979, has continued for 38 years to be the cornerstone of relations between the United States and Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, given the important role Taiwan plays in global aviation security, to include Taiwan as a participant in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) would help develop a global strategy to address aviation security threats; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan has passed a landmark Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act to cut carbon emissions to 50 percent of 2005 levels by 2050 and announced its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), committing itself to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent from the current level by 2030, which shows that accommodating Taiwan's participation in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) would increase the global efforts to combat and conquer climate change; and

WHEREAS, the year 2017 marks the 34th anniversary of the sister-state relationship between the State of Mississippi and Taiwan, as well as the sister-city relationship between the City of Jackson and Chiayi City since 1983, and the State of Mississippi's participation, once realized, in the Taiwan-United States Sister Relations Alliance (TUSA) will foster further cooperation, exchanges and friendship between the Magnolia State and Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to promote and maintain viable relationships with industrious and democratic nations, especially those such as the relationship between the State of Mississippi and the Republic of China (Taiwan), which has been amiable and productive for 34 years:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the signing of a joint statement regarding travel between the United States and Taiwan; encourage closer economic relationships between the United States and Taiwan by negotiating an FTA between the United States and Taiwan; support Taiwan's meaningful participation in the CD, ICAO and UNFCCC; celebrate the 34th anniversary of the friendships between the State of Mississippi and Taiwan and the City of Jackson and Chiayi City; encourage the signing of the State of Mississippi's membership in the Taiwan-United States Sister Relations Alliance (TUSA); commend Mr. Louis M. Huang, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston, Texas, for his efforts and contributions toward enhancing cooperation between Mississippi and Taiwan.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Louis M. Huang and to the members of the Capital Press Corps.