House Resolution 65

A RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING FURTHER ECONOMIC TIES AND FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN) AND THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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 68.2 billion in 2017, making Taiwan the 11th largest trading partner of the United States and the largest per capita importer of United States agricultural products, and both nations could realize further economic gains through establishing a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) as well as enhancing platforms such as a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and Digital Economy Forum (DEF); and

WHEREAS, the Republic of China (Taiwan) maintains biennial agricultural procurement missions to the United States to sign multi-billion-dollar supply deals and has been actively dispatching a substantial delegation to participate in the SelectUSA Investment Summit since 2013; and

WHEREAS, the World Economic Forum's 2018 Global Competitiveness Report rated Taiwan 13th amongst 140 economies and recognized Taiwan as one of the World's Four Super Innovators, resulting from wide-ranging regulatory efforts to build an environment conducive to financial sector development and foreign direct investment, and underscoring the impact of Taiwan's Five-plus-two industrial innovation initiative targeting the high-growth sectors of biotech and pharmaceuticals, green energy, national defense, smart machinery and Internet of Things, as well as the circular economy and a new paradigm of agriculture; and

WHEREAS, the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 has continued to provide a sturdy foundation for robust United States-Taiwan relations to flourish for nearly 40 years, contributing to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and this year the Taiwan Travel Act was passed by both chambers of the United States Congress and signed by President Trump to encourage high-level officials' visits between our two countries; and

WHEREAS, both countries have further affirmed their partnership in such areas as international humanitarian assistance, public health and technology under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) established in June 2015; and

WHEREAS, 2019 marks the 36th anniversary of Mississippi-Taiwan sister-state relations, which have nurtured and maintained a friendship built upon unwavering bonds beneficial and rewarding for both governments and their citizens now and in the future: Mississippi exported $62,000,000.00 in goods and services to Taiwan in 2017, making Taiwan the 5th largest export partner for Mississippi in Asia and Taiwan sent a business delegation to visit Mississippi companies in November 2017, which reflects Taiwan's commitment to deepening economic ties with Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, travel from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the United States increased by more than 50 percent since Taiwan's participation in the United States Visa Waiver program in 2012, and Taiwan joined the United States Global Entry program in November 2017, and these significant efforts will continue to promote tourism and encourage exchanges between the two peoples; and

WHEREAS, nontraditional security threats are increasing in the 21st century, so 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 be beneficial to all nations and their people:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby encourage closer economic relationships between the United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) by negotiating a BTA between the two countries; commend Taiwan's inclusion in the United States Global Entry and Visa Waiver program to encourage economic and cultural exchanges; support Taiwan's meaningful participation in the INTERPOL, ICAO, UNFCCC, and WHA; celebrate the 40th anniversary of enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act and the 36th anniversary of the sister-state relationship between the State of Mississippi and the Republic of China (Taiwan); and commend Mr. Peter Chen, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston, for efforts and contributions toward enhancing cooperation between Mississippi and Taiwan.

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.