A senate RESOLUTION

 

To Commend Taiwan for its relations with the United States and the State of South Carolina.

 

Whereas, Taiwan and the United States of America are long-standing allies who both deeply cherish the common values of democracy, peace, and prosperity. Taiwan continues to pursue integrated diplomacy and serve the best interests of the Indo-Pacific region by deepening ties with other like-minded nations, safeguarding regional security, and utilizing Taiwan's technological and economic success to promote partnerships on mutual benefits; and

 

Whereas, the year 2026 marks both the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of United States Independence and the thirtieth anniversary of Taiwan's first direct presidential election-milestones that honor liberty and the principle that sovereignty resides in the people. This shared celebration reaffirms Taiwan-U.S. commitment to the rule of law, human rights, and a rules-based international order. Through close cooperation, Taiwan and the United States strengthen democratic values and contribute to Indo-Pacific security, economic resilience, and global peace and stability for future generations; and

 

Whereas, Taiwan is the United States' seventh-largest trading partner, and the United States is Taiwan's second-largest, with bilateral trade-in-goods value estimated at over one hundred eight billion dollars; and the first agreement implemented under the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade establishes commitments on anti-corruption measures, sound regulatory practices, customs administration and trade facilitation, and the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises; and

 

Whereas, F-16 fighter jets procured by Taiwan are assembled in Greenville, supporting forty-six thousand local jobs. The F-16 Block70 rollout ceremony took place on March 28, 2024, marking the official unveiling of the first completed unit from this production line; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, support constant talks under the "US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade" and a US-Taiwan double taxation avoidance mechanism, as Taiwanese companies are looking for a diverse and free market investment in the United States, as well as encourage to organize a trade delegation to Taiwan to attract more investments; and

 

Whereas, to celebrate Taiwan's democracy and the reaffirm the United States' commitment to Taiwan, the members of this body support the Taiwan Caucus as a means to explore more collaborative opportunities with Taiwan; and, in recognition of Taiwan's professionalism and global contribution in areas such as healthcare, climate change, civil aviation security, transnational crime crackdown, and trade and investment, support Taiwan's participation in multinational platforms and economic frameworks; and

 

Whereas, the members of this body encourage the state executives and officials to further engage with their counterparts in Taiwan to explore, enhance, and deepen substantive relationship in issues that concern the State; support more exchanges of scholars, teachers, and students under the education cooperation MOU between South Carolina and Taiwan, and take part in Taiwanese American Heritage Week in May and other activities and experiences that promote Taiwan's cultures, tourism, and delicacies.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, commend Taiwan for its relations with the United States and the State of South Carolina.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Mr. Jared Lin, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta.

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