South Carolina General Assembly
120th Session, 2013-2014

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H. 4586

STATUS INFORMATION

House Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Barfield and Ryhal
Document Path: l:\council\bills\gm\29866ab14.docx

Introduced in the House on February 4, 2014
Adopted by the House on February 4, 2014

Summary: Taiwan

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
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    2/4/2014  House   Introduced and adopted (House Journal-page 24)

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VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

2/4/2014

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO COMMEND AND SUPPORT THE DEMOCRATIZATION EFFORTS OF TAIWAN AND THE NATION'S MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION, THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE, AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND TO EXTEND MOST SINCERE BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED COOPERATION AND SUCCESS.

Whereas, Taiwan and the United States are longstanding allies both of whom deeply cherish the common values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law; and

Whereas, in the year 2012, Taiwan held its fifth direct presidential election, demonstrating again the strength and vitality of its democratic system and paving the way for Taiwan as a beacon of democracy in Asia and beyond; and

Whereas, Taiwan serves the best interests of the Asia-Pacific region in its continuation of stability and growth. On August 5, 2012, President Ma Ying-jeou proposed the East China Sea Peace Initiative, which calls upon the parties concerned to resolve the disputes peacefully and engage in joint development of resources. Taiwan and mainland China also signed the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) in 2010. United States businesses can collaborate with innovative Taiwanese companies consistent with Taiwan's comprehensive protection of intellectual property rights and then use Taiwan as a springboard for entering mainland China and other key Asian markets; and

Whereas, since 1981, the State of South Carolina and Taiwan have enjoyed cordial and mutually beneficial sister-state relations, a friendship that continues to strengthen with each passing year; and

Whereas, Taiwan is the United States' eleventh-largest trading partner, and the United States is Taiwan's third-largest trading partner; and

Whereas, the designation of Taiwan into the United States' Visa Waiver Program is a significant step to draw travelers from Taiwan choosing the United States as their destination for trade, investment, and sightseeing; and

Whereas, by working together with Taiwan, South Carolina welcomes all opportunities for an even closer economic partnership, such as the signing of a US-Taiwan Bilateral Investment Agreement and a Free Trade Agreement, and the inclusion of Taiwan in the Trans-Pacific Partnership in order to enhance the special sister-state bond between South Carolina and Taiwan and to encourage further cultural, educational, and business exchanges between the citizens of both nations; and

Whereas, Taiwan is an active member in the international community with a long history of commitment to international health and humanitarian aid, as well as environmental protection. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, commend and support the democratization efforts of Taiwan and the nation's meaningful participation in the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and other international organizations, and extend their most sincere best wishes for continued cooperation and success.

Be it further resolved that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Mr. Steven Huei-Yuan Tai, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta.

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This web page was last updated on February 7, 2014 at 10:27 AM