SPONSOR:	Sen. Townsend & Sen. Sokola
	on behalf of all Senators

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

148th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 15

REAFFIRMING THE SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND TAIWAN, STRENGTHENING BILATERAL TRADE RELATIONS, AND SUPPORTING TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.

WHEREAS, Taiwan and the United States are longstanding friends with a shared historical relationship and dearly cherished values of freedom, democracy, and human rights; and

WHEREAS, 2016 marks the 16th anniversary of the sister-state relationship between Delaware and Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, for the past 15 years, the sister-state relationship with Taiwan has been strengthened through the efforts of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (“TECRO”), resulting in better mutual understanding; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Delaware were deeply saddened in February, 2016, by the news that our sister state of Taiwan had been struck by a strong, 6.4 magnitude earthquake that caused devastation and considerable injuries and loss of life in southern Taiwan, and share the sorrow and suffering felt by the people of Taiwan in the face of this tragic occurrence; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan is the world’s 18th largest economy and one of the key trading partners of the United States; Taiwan was the ninth largest trading partner of the United States in 2015, with the two-way trade volume reaching $66 billion; and

WHEREAS, in 2014, Delaware exported more than $111 million in goods to Taiwan, making it our 19th largest export market in the world and supporting the fact that Taiwan is not only a friendly sister-state of Delaware but also an important trading partner; and

WHEREAS, by working together with Taiwan, Delaware welcomes all opportunities for an even closer economic partnership, such as the signing of a U.S.-Taiwan Bilateral Investment Agreement (“BIA”) and a Free Trade Agreement (“FTA”); and

WHEREAS, on January 16, 2016, Taiwan held its sixth direct presidential election and again demonstrated the strength and vitality of its democratic system, showcasing Taiwan as a beacon of democracy for Chinese communities around the world; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan serves the best interests of the Asia-Pacific region in the continuation of stability and growth, as evidenced by the fact that on May 26, 2015, President Ma Ying-Jeou proposed the South China Sea Peace Initiative and called upon the parties concerned to resolve their disputes peacefully and to engage in joint development of resources; and

WHEREAS, On March 18, 2016, President Obama signed into law U.S. Congress S. 2426, supporting Taiwanese participation in the International Criminal Police Organization (“INTERPOL”) and at other related meetings, activities, and mechanisms as an observer, in the belief that Taiwan’s participation in INTERPOL will not only promote stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region, but also make the world a safer place; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan has been proven to be a valuable contributor in a broad range of global issues and should be granted access to meaningfully participate in various international organizations, including the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change and the International Criminal Police Organization;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 148th General Assembly of the State of Delaware that the members do hereby reaffirm our commitment to the strong and deepening relationship between Taiwan and the State of Delaware and support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that suitable copies of this resolution be sent upon its passage to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, and the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.