HR1115 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1115 LRB099 21250 GRL 46765 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is proud of the sister-state relationship it has enjoyed with the Republic of China (Taiwan) since 1992, which has been consolidated by strong bilateral trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges, and further boosted by the shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and a commitment to the rule of law; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan is the world's 19th-largest economy, the United States' 9th-largest trading partner, and Illinois' 19th-largest export market; Taiwan has consistently imported between US$2.5-$3 billion annually worth of United States farm products and ranks as one of the world's top consumers per-capita of United States agricultural goods; the Illinois economy has greatly benefited from Taiwan's reliable imports of Illinois farm products, which in 2015 were worth US$275.7 million for agricultural products and US$43.8 million for food manufactures, together comprising at least 50.4% of Illinois' total exports to Taiwan last year; in 2015, Illinois ranked eighth among all U.S. states in the value of its overall exports to Taiwan, worth US$634 million; and

WHEREAS, On January 16, 2016, Taiwan held its sixth direct presidential election, once again demonstrating the maturity and strength of its democratic system, which has long been commended as a beacon of democracy for Chinese-based societies; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan ranks as the world's 14th-freest economy, the fifth-freest economy in the Asia-Pacific region, the 11th-most competitive economy worldwide, and the third-most competitive economy in the Asia-Pacific region; Taiwan should be entitled to contribute to greater regional economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region in order to further promote bilateral investment and trade relations with its Asian neighbors, as well as with the United States; and

WHEREAS, Negotiations for a bilateral investment agreement between Taiwan and the United States are an important step toward further strengthening bilateral trade and paving the way for entering into a free trade agreement between our two countries, thereby increasing Illinois' exports to Taiwan and creating bilateral investment and technical collaboration through tariff reduction and other trade facilitation measures; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan, as a full-fledged democracy that shares the same values of freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, peace, and prosperity with the United States and the State of Illinois, should be allowed to participate appropriately in international organizations in order to advance the welfare of the 23 million people of Taiwan and further contribute Taiwan's unique experience and expertise to the international community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend and support Taiwan's mature and vibrant democracy and celebrate the 24th anniversary of sister-state relations and the deepening sister-city relationships between Taiwan and the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we reaffirm our continued support for Taiwan's efforts to contribute to greater regional integration through economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and further promote bilateral investment and trade relations with the United States; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we reaffirm our continued endorsement of the signing of a bilateral investment agreement between Taiwan and the United States to promote Taiwan's bilateral investment and trade relations with the United States and to facilitate its economic and other ties with Illinois and the individual states; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we reaffirm our support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations that impact the health, safety, and well-being of Taiwanese citizens and that contribute to the global community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to United States Secretary of State John F. Kerry, the members of the Illinois congressional delegation, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago.