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8 General Description:
9 This resolution of the Senate reaffirms the sister-state relationship between the state of
10 Utah and Taiwan and urges the president and United States Congress to support a free
11 trade agreement between Taiwan and the United States as well as Taiwan's participation
12 in regional free trade agreements.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 ▸ reaffirms the sister-state relationship between the state of Utah and Taiwan;
16 ▸ urges the president of the United States and the United States Congress to support a
17 free trade agreement between Taiwan and the United States as well as Taiwan's
18 participation in regional free trade agreements, especially the Trans-Pacific
19 Partnership; and
20 ▸ expresses support for Taiwan's peace initiative for easing tensions in the East China
21 Sea and the South China Sea.
22 Special Clauses:
23 None
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25 Be it resolved by the Senate of the state of Utah:
26 WHEREAS, the state of Utah is proud to have had a sister-state relationship with
27 Taiwan since 1980;
28 WHEREAS, the people of the state of Utah look forward to advancing friendship with
29 the people of Taiwan;
30 WHEREAS, the people of Taiwan have assiduously established a robust economy;
31 WHEREAS, Taiwan is now ranked the eighteenth largest trading economy in the world
32 and the tenth largest among the 21 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation;
33 WHEREAS, Taiwan has become a leading manufacturer of information technology;
34 WHEREAS, the United States is Taiwan's third largest trading partner;
35 WHEREAS, Taiwan is currently the tenth largest trading partner of the United States;
36 WHEREAS, business leaders of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei regard
37 Taiwan as a good place to do business and strongly support the Taiwan government's intention
38 to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership;
39 WHEREAS, the state of Utah has welcomed Taiwan's inclusion in the Visa Waiver
40 Program of the United States since November 2011;
41 WHEREAS, the state of Utah welcomes the resumption of Trade and Investment
42 Framework Agreement meetings between Taiwan and the United States;
43 WHEREAS, Taiwan's high standard approaches to trade, investment, and sustainable
44 development align with key negotiating objectives of the Trans-Pacific Partnership;
45 WHEREAS, Taiwan's inclusion in the Trans-Pacific Partnership will bring economic
46 benefits and social welfare to all existing participants in the Trans-Pacific Partnership,
47 including the United States;
48 WHEREAS, tensions in the East China Sea and the South China Sea might undermine
49 peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region;
50 WHEREAS, dispute settlement through rational and peaceful approaches are in line
51 with the vital interest of most countries in the region, including the United States and Taiwan;
52 WHEREAS, Taiwan has not only continued to promote peace across the Taiwan
53 Straits, but also has made an East China Sea Peace Initiative to ease tensions in the region;
54 WHEREAS, Taiwan and Japan signed a fisheries agreement on April 10, 2013;
55 WHEREAS, this agreement resolved a 40-year dispute over fishing rights in the waters
56 surrounding the Diaoyutai Islands; and
57 WHEREAS, this concrete manifestation of the East China Sea Peace Initiative provides
58 the best testimony that disputes can be resolved through peaceful means:
59 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the state of Utah reaffirms
60 the friendship and sister-state relationship between Utah and Taiwan.
61 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the state of Utah urges the president
62 of the United States and the United States Congress to take concrete measures to support a free
63 trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan and to help Taiwan participate in
64 Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
65 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the state of Utah expresses support
66 for Taiwan's initiative for peace and stability in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.
67 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the state of Utah urges all parties
68 concerned to refrain from actions that might escalate tensions and to resolve differences
69 through peaceful means.
70 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the president of
71 the United States, the majority leader of the United States Senate, the speaker of the United
72 States House of Representatives, the president of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and the
73 members of Utah's congressional delegation.
Legislative Review Note
as of 3-9-15 10:03 PM
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel