2014 -- S 2826

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LC005217

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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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

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     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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