SR0978 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0978 LRB101 18534 ECR 67987 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In 1992, the State of Illinois established the sister-state relationship with the Taiwan Province, the Republic of China (Taiwan); Illinois and Taiwan have enjoyed strong bilateral trade, educational and cultural exchanges, and tourism throughout their relationship; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan shares the same values of freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, peace, and prosperity with the United States and the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The United States ranks as Taiwan's second largest trading partner, and Taiwan is the United States' eleventh largest trading partner; bilateral trade between the two countries reached $76.3 billion in U.S. dollars in 2018; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan and the State of Illinois have enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the prospect of future growth; in 2018, Taiwan was Illinois' sixth largest export market in Asia with $832 million U.S. dollars worth of Illinois' goods exported to Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, Negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement between Taiwan and the United States are an important step towards further strengthening bilateral trade between our two countries; and

WHEREAS, This Bilateral Trade Agreement would increase Illinois exports to Taiwan and create bilateral investment and technical collaboration through tariff reduction and other trade facilitation measures; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan has taken a policy of "steadfast diplomacy" in its international relations; Taiwan is capable of fulfilling and is willing to fulfill its responsibilities and to collaborate with the world to deal with the challenges we face, including humanitarian aid and disease control; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening and deepening the sister ties between the State of Illinois and Taiwan; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we endorse Taiwan's efforts to secure the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States, and we reiterate our support for a closer economic and trade partnership between the State of Illinois and Taiwan; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we continue to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations that impact the health, safety, and well-being of its citizens and Taiwan's aspiration to make more contributions in international societies; and be it further

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