2017 -- H 5408

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

REAFFIRMING THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND AND TAIWAN,

ENHANCING BILATERAL RELATIONS, AND SUPPORTING TAIWAN IN THE

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

     Introduced By: Representatives Kennedy, Edwards, McNamara, Shekarchi, and Morgan

     Date Introduced: February 07, 2017

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) share a most

important relationship, marked by a mutually beneficial partnership, supported by our common

values of freedom, democracy, rule of law, and a free market economy; and

     WHEREAS, President Tsai Ing-wen has worked tirelessly to uphold democratic

principles in Taiwan, ensure the prosperity of Taiwan's 23 million people, promote Taiwan's

international standing, further improve relations between the United States and Taiwan, and

maintain peace in the Asia-Pacific region; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan has achieved a full democracy, replete with free and transparent

elections, including direct vote of the 14th term President and Vice President in January of 2016,

and thereby providing a beacon of hope and a model for all peoples in the Asia-Pacific region

who desire to live under freedom and democracy; and

     WHEREAS, The United States and Taiwan, and especially the State of Rhode Island,

share a historically close relationship, marked by strong bilateral trade, educational and cultural

exchanges, scientific and technological interests, and tourism; and

     WHEREAS, The United States ranks as Taiwan's 2nd largest trading partner, and Taiwan

was the 10th largest trading partner of the United States in 2016, with bilateral trade in goods and

services from January to November of 2016 between the United States and Taiwan amounting to

approximately $56.7 billion, and said trade has created or supported at least 324,569 U.S. jobs

according to the United States Department of Commerce; and

     WHEREAS, New England exported more than $1 billion in goods to Taiwan, of which

Rhode Island exported $39.5 million in goods, mostly in primary metal, chemicals, and

machinery, making Taiwan Rhode Island's 2nd largest export market in Asia in 2015. Taiwan and

the United States seek to increase trade and investment through bilateral agreements, resulting in

greater Rhode Island exports to Taiwan; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan is the 20th largest global market and its inclusion in international

organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), International Criminal Police

Organization (INTERPOL), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) are in the

best interest and safety of the international community. Taiwan is a key transport hub for

international air travel and a large flight path in the Asia-Pacific remains under Taiwan's

jurisdiction. In addition, Taiwan's inclusion in the United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change (UNFCCC) is necessary in the global effort to combat climate change; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby commends Taiwan's 2016 Presidential Election, Taiwan's role as

peacemaker in the East and South China Seas, and seeks to further strengthen United States-

Taiwan and Rhode Island-Taiwan trade and investment relations, and supports Taiwan's

participation in international organizations and agreements, including the WHO, INTERPOL,

UNFCCC and ICAO; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of

the United States; the Rhode Island Delegation of the United States Congress; Governor Gina

Raimondo, President Tsai Ing-wen, and Scott Lai, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and

Cultural Office in Boston.

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