S.J.R. 12 Enrolled

1

JOINT RESOLUTION ON TAIWAN
2 2013 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Peter C. Knudson
5 House Sponsor: Eric K. Hutchings
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This joint resolution of the Legislature urges the President and the United States
10 Congress to support free trade with Taiwan, Taiwan's participation in the International
11 Civil Aviation Organization, and Taiwan's peace initiative to solve East China Sea
12 sovereignty disputes through dialogue.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 . reaffirms the friendship and encourages the sister-state relationship between Utah
16 and Taiwan;
17 . urges the President of the United States and the United States Congress to support a
18 free trade agreement with Taiwan and support Taiwan's participation in multilateral
19 free trade negotiations;
20 . urges the President and Congress to support:
21 . a free trade agreement between the United States and the Republic of China on
22 Taiwan;
23 . Taiwan's participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization; and
24 . Taiwan's peace initiative to solve sovereignty disputes in the East China Sea
25 through dialogue; and
26 . expresses continued support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in United
27 Nations specialized organizations, conventions, and programs, such as acquiring an
28 observer status in the International Civil Aviation Organization.
29 Special Clauses:

30 None
31
32 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
33 WHEREAS, the state of Utah is proud of the sister-state relationship it has enjoyed
34 with Taiwan since 1980;
35 WHEREAS, Taiwan, as a full-fledged democracy, shares the same values of freedom,
36 democracy, human rights, open market, peace, and prosperity with the United States;
37 WHEREAS, Taiwan is currently the 18th largest exporter as well as importer, the
38 United States' 10th largest trading partner, and the 6th largest agricultural products market;
39 WHEREAS, despite being a member of the World Trade Organization since 2002 and a
40 faithful ally and an important strategic partner of the United States, Taiwan has yet to sign a
41 free trade agreement with the United States;
42 WHEREAS, approximately 580,000 people from Taiwan visit the United States
43 annually, and Taiwanese airline carriers currently have more than 40 flights destined for the
44 United States weekly, carrying more than 5,000 passengers daily for business, tourism, study,
45 and other purposes;
46 WHEREAS, Taiwanese airlines fly to every corner of the globe and Taiwan aims to
47 ensure that all aspects of its aviation sector conform to the standard formulated by the
48 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for safety and security;
49 WHEREAS, for the past 40 years, however, Taiwan has not been able to enter or
50 meaningfully participate in the ICAO;
51 WHEREAS, this hampers Taiwan's voluntary efforts to comply with the ICAO
52 standards due to lack of timely and comprehensive information;
53 WHEREAS, Taiwan has recently promoted an East China Sea Peace Initiative, a
54 commendable effort to ease tensions that might seriously endanger peace and prosperity in the
55 region; and
56 WHEREAS, resolving disputes in the East China Sea in a rational and peaceful manner
57 is in the best interests of all parties in the region and the United States:

58 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
59 reaffirms the friendship, and encourages the sister-state relationship, between Utah and
60 Taiwan.
61 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges the President of the United
62 States and the United States Congress to support a free trade agreement with Taiwan and
63 support Taiwan's participation in multilateral free trade negotiations.
64 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature expresses its continued support for
65 Taiwan's meaningful participation in United Nations specialized organizations, conventions,
66 and programs, such as acquiring an observer status in the International Civil Aviation
67 Organization.
68 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature welcomes Taiwan's initiative for
69 peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific Region and urges all parties concerned in East China Sea
70 disputes to refrain from any antagonistic actions and resolve their differences through open
71 dialogue and other peaceful means.
72 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of
73 the United States, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United
74 States House of Representatives, the President of the Republic of China on Taiwan, and the
75 members of Utah's congressional delegation.

[Bill Documents]