A house RESOLUTION

TO COMMEND TAIWAN FOR ITS MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, Taiwan and the United States are like-minded in that both deeply cherish the common values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law; and

Whereas, Taiwan has been experiencing continuous threats from the authoritarian neighbor of China, which has encroached on Taiwan's security by flying in Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ); disseminating disinformation and launching cyber attacks; and repeatedly excluding Taiwan from the international system, as demonstrated through its denial of Taiwan's participation in the United Nations system meetings, mechanisms, conventions, and activities; and

Whereas, in 2022, the United States and Taiwan experienced strengthening in bilateral relations: The launch of the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade facilitated a roadmap for negotiations on an economic and trade agreement with high-standard commitments; numerous high-ranking elected officials visited amid China's provocation; the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 facilitated a defense modernization program for Taiwan to deter China's aggression; and the signing of the Taiwan-U.S. MOU on Development and Humanitarian Assistance Cooperation highlighted that Taiwan is a significant stakeholder globally; and

Whereas, in 2022, South Carolina became the fourth state signing the higher education cooperation MOU with Taiwan since the launch of the 2020 U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative, facilitating more educational exchanges; and

Whereas, Taiwan is the United States' eighth-largest trading partner, and the United States is Taiwan's second-largest trading partner, with a bilateral trade amount of $105 billion in 2021. Taiwan is the fourteenth export market and twelfth import market for South Carolina, with investments in the State of $786 million and the support of an estimated 6,071 jobs, including the manufacture of F-16 fighter jets and Boeing 787 Dreamliners; and

Whereas, South Carolina welcomes all opportunities for an even closer partnership in business, educational, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges between the citizens of both nations and further welcomes better collaboration in post-pandemic economic recovery efforts. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

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

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Governor Henry McMaster; Secretary of State Mark Hammond; the South Carolina Congressional Delegation; and Mr. Elliot Wang, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta.

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