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HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is proud of the sister-state
3relationship it has enjoyed with the Republic of China (Taiwan)
4since 1992, marked by strong bilateral trade, educational and
5cultural exchange, and tourism; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Taiwan shares the same values of freedom,
7democracy, human rights, the rule of law, peace, and prosperity
8with the United States and the State of Illinois; and
 
9    WHEREAS, The United States ranks as Taiwan's second largest
10trading partner; Taiwan is the ninth largest trading partner of
11the United States; bilateral trade reached $66.6 billion in
122015; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Taiwan and the State of Illinois have enjoyed a
14long and mutually beneficial relationship with the prospect of
15future growth; Taiwan was Illinois' sixth largest export market
16in Asia in 2015, with $633.8 million worth of Illinois goods
17exported to Taiwan; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Negotiations for a Bilateral Investment Agreement
19(BIA) between Taiwan and the United States are an important
20step toward further strengthening bilateral trade and paving
21the way for entering into a Free Trade Agreement between our

 

 

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1countries, thereby increasing Illinois' exports to Taiwan and
2creating bilateral investment and technical collaboration
3through tariff reduction and other trade facilitation
4measures; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Taiwan has undertaken a policy of "steadfast
6diplomacy" in its international relations; Taiwan is capable of
7and willing to fulfill its responsibilities and to collaborate
8with the world to deal with the challenges of humanitarian
9aids, disease control, and so forth; therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
11HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
12reaffirm our commitment to the strengthening and deepening of
13the sister-state relationship between Taiwan and the State of
14Illinois; and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That we endorse Taiwan's efforts to secure the
16signing of Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) and Free Trade
17Agreement (FTA) with the United States; and be it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That we continue to support Taiwan's appropriate
19participation in international organizations which impact the
20health, safety, and well-being of its people, and support its
21aspiration to make more contributions in international
22societies; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
2delivered to all members of the Illinois Congressional
3Delegation and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in
4Chicago.