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SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, In 1992, the State of Illinois established the
3sister-state relationship with the Taiwan Province, the
4Republic of China (Taiwan); Illinois and Taiwan have enjoyed
5strong bilateral trade, educational and cultural exchanges,
6and tourism throughout their relationship; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Taiwan shares the same values of freedom,
8democracy, human rights, the rule of law, peace, and prosperity
9with the United States and the State of Illinois; and
 
10    WHEREAS, The United States ranks as Taiwan's second largest
11trading partner, and Taiwan is the United States' eleventh
12largest trading partner; bilateral trade between the two
13countries reached $76.3 billion in U.S. dollars in 2018; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Taiwan and the State of Illinois have enjoyed a
15long and mutually beneficial relationship with the prospect of
16future growth; in 2018, Taiwan was Illinois' sixth largest
17export market in Asia with $832 million U.S. dollars worth of
18Illinois' goods exported to Taiwan; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement
20between Taiwan and the United States are an important step
21towards further strengthening bilateral trade between our two

 

 

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1countries; and
 
2    WHEREAS, This Bilateral Trade Agreement would increase
3Illinois exports to Taiwan and create bilateral investment and
4technical collaboration through tariff reduction and other
5trade facilitation measures; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Taiwan has taken a policy of "steadfast diplomacy"
7in its international relations; Taiwan is capable of fulfilling
8and is willing to fulfill its responsibilities and to
9collaborate with the world to deal with the challenges we face,
10including humanitarian aid and disease control; therefore, be
11it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
13ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we reaffirm our
14commitment to strengthening and deepening the sister ties
15between the State of Illinois and Taiwan; and be it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That we endorse Taiwan's efforts to secure the
17signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States,
18and we reiterate our support for a closer economic and trade
19partnership between the State of Illinois and Taiwan; and be it
20further
 
21    RESOLVED, That we continue to support Taiwan's meaningful

 

 

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1participation in international organizations that impact the
2health, safety, and well-being of its citizens and Taiwan's
3aspiration to make more contributions in international
4societies; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
6delivered to the members of the Illinois Congressional
7Delegation and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in
8Chicago.