A senate RESOLUTION

 

commending taiwan for its relations with the United states and the state of south carolina.

 

Whereas, Taiwan and the United States of America are long-standing allies who both deeply cherish the common values of democracy, peace, and prosperity; and

 

Whereas, Taiwan continues to pursue integrated diplomacy and serves the best interests of the Indo-Pacific region by deepening ties with other like-minded nations, safeguarding regional security, and utilizing Taiwan's technological and economic success to promote partnerships with mutual benefits; and

 

Whereas, China repeatedly exerts economic coercion, stages military drills directed toward Taiwan, and distorts UN Resolution 2758 (XXVI) excluding Taiwan's participation from international organizations, which results in global challenges to rules-based international order and aggressive authoritarian expansionism; and

 

Whereas, Taiwan is the United States' eighth-largest trading partner, and the United States is Taiwan's second-largest trading partner, with an estimated one hundred twenty-eight billion dollars worth of trade. Taiwan was South Carolina's fourteenth largest import market and ninth largest export market in 2023; and

 

Whereas, under "US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade" agreement, the United States and Taiwan agreed to commitments concerning anti-corruption, good regulatory practices, customs administration and trade facilitation, and small and medium-sized enterprises; and

 

Whereas, F-16 fighter jets procured by Taiwan are assembled in Greenville, creating many local jobs. South Carolina was the first Southeastern state to establish a trade office in Taiwan in 2022, resulting in a Taiwan EV delegation visiting South Carolina to seek business opportunities. A successful Taiwan seminar was held in May 2024 by the Walker Institute.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, support consistent talks under the "US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade" and a "US-Taiwan Avoid Double Taxation Agreement" as Taiwanese companies are looking for a diverse and free market investment in the United States. The members encourage the State to organize a trade delegation to Taiwan to attract more investments and city governments to participate in the annual "Smart City" forum in Taiwan.

 

Be it further resolved that, with the celebration of Taiwan's democracy to reaffirm the United States' commitment to Taiwan, the members of this body are encouraged to join the Taiwan Caucus to explore more collaborative opportunities with Taiwan, supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations and economic cooperation such as WHO, UNFCCC, ICAO, INTERPOL, CPTPP and IPEF.

 

Be it further resolved that the members of the South Carolina Senate support conducting more exchanges of scholars, teachers, and students with Taiwan and using TOCFL (Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language) as a Chinese proficiency assessment tool for South Carolina State Seal of Biliteracy and encourage South Carolinians to take part in Taiwanese American Heritage Week in May and other activities, experiencing and promoting Taiwan's cultures, tourism, and delicacies such as Boba tea.

 

Be it further resolved that a certified copy of this resolution be prepared and transmitted 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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