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H.J.R. 43 Enrolled
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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This joint resolution of the Legislature urges the Obama Administration to support
10 Taiwan's inclusion in the United States' Visa Waiver Program and its meaningful
11 participation in the United Nations.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 . urges the Obama Administration to support Taiwan's inclusion in the United States'
15 Visa Waiver Program and its meaningful participation in the United Nations'
16 specialized agencies, program, and convention.
17 Special Clauses:
18 None
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20 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
21 WHEREAS, 97 countries worldwide have granted visa waiver privileges to Taiwanese
22 passport holders, including New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan, Ireland, Canada, and the
23 European Union;
24 WHEREAS, as the first European country to grant visa-free privileges to Taiwan in
25 2009, Britain has seen the number of Taiwanese visitors increase 106% and bilateral trade has
26 also grown by up to 30%;
27 WHEREAS, the European Union will see at least a 30% increase in Taiwanese visitors
28 with its visa exemption that took effect on January 11, 2011;
29 WHEREAS, the United States is an important destination for Taiwanese who travel
30 overseas either for tourism or for business purposes, resulting in the United States being
31 Taiwan's ninth largest trade partner;
32 WHEREAS, United States' passport holders are granted 30-day, visa-free stays in
33 Taiwan;
34 WHEREAS, with its reliable administrative system, Taiwan is able to issue a high
35 quality "chip passport" and will shortly implement a new policy requiring in-person passport
36 application submission, further preventing passport tampering and forgery;
37 WHEREAS, Taiwan's latest visa refusal rate for the fiscal year 2010 was 2.2%, much
38 lower than the required 3% stipulated by the United States' Visa Waiver Program;
39 WHEREAS, with Taiwan joining the United States' Visa Waiver Program, the number
40 of visitors to the United States for both sightseeing and business purposes is expected to
41 increase dramatically;
42 WHEREAS, in May 2009, Taiwan's inclusion in the World Health Organization raised
43 the possibility that Taiwan would have meaningful involvement in other United Nations'
44 agencies, programs, and conventions;
45 WHEREAS, in 2009, the Airports Council International ranked Taiwan's Taoyuan
46 International Airport as the world's eighth largest by international cargo volume and 18th
47 largest by number of international passengers;
48 WHEREAS, exclusion from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
49 since 1971 has impeded the Government of Taiwan's efforts to comport with evolving
50 international standards, resulting in an inability to contact the ICAO for up-to-date information
51 on aviation standards and norms in a timely manner;
52 WHEREAS, Taiwan's exclusion from the ICAO has prevented the ICAO from
53 developing a truly global strategy to address security threats based on international cooperation;
54 and
55 WHEREAS, Taiwan is more than willing to take on its responsibilities as a
56 peacemaker, a provider of humanitarian aid, a promoter of cultural ties, and a creator of new
57 technologies and business opportunities:
58 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
59 urges the Obama Administration to support Taiwan's inclusion in the United States' Visa
60 Waiver Program and its meaningful participation in the United Nations' specialized agencies,
61 programs, and conventions.
62 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Taiwan
63 Embassy in the United States and to President Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan.
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