2019 -- S 0387

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

REAFFIRMING THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND AND TAIWAN,

ENHANCING BILATERAL RELATIONS, CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF

THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT (TRA), AND SUPPORTING TAIWAN IN THE

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

     

     Introduced By: Senators Crowley, Nesselbush, and Picard

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2019

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

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

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

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

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

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principles in Taiwan, ensure the prosperity of Taiwan's 23.5 million people, promote Taiwan's

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

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maintain peace in the Asia Pacific region; and

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     WHEREAS, Taiwan and the United States, and especially Rhode Island, share a

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

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exchange, scientific and technological interests, and tourism; and

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     WHEREAS, In 2019, The United States and Taiwan celebrate the 40th Anniversary of

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the Taiwan Relations Act – TRA (Pub. L. 96-8, 22 U.S.C. 3301) enacted on April 10, 1979 "to

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help maintain peace, security, and stability in the Western Pacific and to promote the foreign

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policy of the United States by authorizing the continuation of commercial, cultural, and other

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relations between the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan, and for other

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purposes"; and

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     WHEREAS, Since 1979, The Taiwan Relations Act has provided a strong foundation for

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sustaining substantive relations between the United States and Taiwan, including Taiwan and

 

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Rhode Island, through continued exchanges, engagement, and cooperation rooted in the shared

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interests of freedom and democracy, thereby assuring a bright future in our bilateral relationship;

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and

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

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is the 11th largest trading partner of the U.S. in 2017, with bilateral trade in goods and services

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between the United States and Taiwan amounting to approximately $62 billion in 2018 (Jan.-

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October), and said trade has created or supported approximately 322,728 U.S. jobs according to

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the U.S. Department of Commerce; and

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

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Rhode Island exported $38 million in goods, mostly in primary metal manufacturing, fabricated

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metal products, chemicals, and machinery. Taiwan was Rhode Island's 6th largest export market

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in Asia (2017); and

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     WHEREAS, Taiwan and the United States seek to increase trade and investment through

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bilateral agreements, and discussions of possibly opening a joint trade office in Taipei, to include

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Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont that will further enhance

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bilateral trade opportunities and Rhode Island exports to Taiwan; and

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     WHEREAS, Taiwan has established reciprocal driver's license agreements with 31 states

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across the United States, including Rhode Island which was signed on September 6, 2018. In fact,

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Taiwan was the first foreign government to enter into a reciprocal driver's license agreement with

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Rhode Island, thereby granting mutual driving privileges in Taiwan and Rhode Island; and

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     WHEREAS, Taiwan is the 18th largest global market and its inclusion in international

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

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

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

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

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

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

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therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act and supports Taiwan's

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

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UNFCCC and ICAO, and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby seeks to further strengthen United States-Taiwan

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and Taiwan-Rhode Island trade and investment relations, and encourages the Rhode Island state

 

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government to further explore the possibility of opening a New England joint trade office in

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Taipei to strengthen and promote bilateral trade between Taiwan and Rhode Island; and be it

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further

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

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

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the United States, the Rhode Island Delegation to the United States Congress, Governor Gina

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Raimondo, State of Rhode Island, President Tsai Ing-wen, Republic of China (Taiwan), and

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Douglas Y.T. Hsu, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston.

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