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H.J.R. 43 Enrolled

             1     

TAIWAN JOINT RESOLUTION
             2      2011 GENERAL SESSION
             3      STATE OF UTAH
             4      Chief Sponsor: Ronda Rudd Menlove
             5      Senate Sponsor: Peter C. Knudson
             6     
             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
             19     
             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

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             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:

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             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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