WHEREAS, the state of Utah has developed a strong relationship with Taiwan based on shared values, including a commitment to religious freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and a free market economy;WHEREAS, the relationship between Utah and Taiwan began in 1956, when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is headquartered in Utah, dispatched four missionaries to Taiwan as a friendly exchange between the Taiwanese people and the people of Utah;WHEREAS, by 2024, more than 43,000 Latter-day Saint missionaries had served missions in Taiwan;WHEREAS, in 1980, Utah and Taiwan established a formal sister-state relationship, deepening the cultural exchanges between Utah and Taiwan;WHEREAS, today, approximately 2,400 foreign-born Taiwanese people live and work in Utah, lending their support to Utah communities;WHEREAS, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, in 2025 Utah imported approximately $1 billion in goods from Taiwan, more than any other country;WHEREAS, Taiwan is the first country to enter into the Driver License Reciprocity Agreement with Utah;WHEREAS, because of the Driver License Reciprocity Agreement, people with a driver license from Utah can now drive when visiting Taiwan and people with a driver license from Taiwan can drive when visiting Utah;WHEREAS, the Driver License Reciprocity Agreement benefits both Utah and Taiwan, resulting in a stronger relationship, politically and economically, while increasing the ease of Taiwanese foreign citizens doing business in Utah;WHEREAS, during the 2020 General Session, the Legislature passed a law incentivizing public universities to work with industry leaders in creating multi-disciplinary programs;WHEREAS, these multi-disciplinary programs prepare the workforce for scientific discoveries and engineering innovations;WHEREAS, Taiwan's participation in these multi-disciplinary programs mutually benefits the people of Utah and Taiwan;WHEREAS, Taiwan's participation and contributions in international organizations and agreements, such as the bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, the World Health Assembly, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and other organizations, greatly benefit the people of Utah and all Americans; andWHEREAS, 2026 marks the 47th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, a foundation upon which the United States, and particularly Utah, has maintained and strengthened its economic and cultural ties with Taiwan:NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah supports strengthening the existing friendship with Taiwan on religious, economic, and cultural grounds.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature emphasizes the importance of the collaborative relationship among the United States, Utah, and Taiwan in the technology sector, higher education, and elsewhere.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature encourages Utah's federal congressional delegation to continue strengthening the United States' and Utah's relationships with Taiwan, and continue supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations and agreements.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Utah federal congressional delegation and the Taipei Economic Cultural Office in San Francisco.