Bill Text: DE HCR149 | 2023-2024 | 152nd General Assembly | Draft


Bill Title: Reaffirming The Longstanding Sisterhood Partnership Between Delaware And Taiwan.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 16-6)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2024-06-13 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT [HCR149 Detail]

Download: Delaware-2023-HCR149-Draft.html

SPONSOR:

Rep. Baumbach & Sen. Townsend

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 149

REAFFIRMING THE LONGSTANDING SISTERHOOD PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN DELAWARE AND TAIWAN.

WHEREAS, the United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) enjoy a longstanding partnership and share the common values of freedom, democracy, and human rights; and

WHEREAS, on January 13, 2024, Taiwan held its eighth presidential election through a fair and free process, setting another milestone in its democratic development; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware General Assembly congratulates President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim on their successful election; and

WHEREAS, on September 12, 2000, Delaware established a cherished sisterhood partnership with Taiwan, and in 2024, both Delaware and Taiwan celebrated this partnership to further boost even closer relations; and

WHEREAS, 2024 marks the milestone forty-fifth anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act; and

WHEREAS, the United States and Taiwan have forged increasingly strong economic relations over decades; and

WHEREAS, Delaware supports the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD) and the Technology, Trade and Investment Collaboration (TTIC); and

WHEREAS, Taiwan holds a key position in the global economy and plays a vital role in the world’s information and computer technology (ICT) industry as well as high-tech global supply chains; and

WHEREAS, Delaware supports Taiwan’s efforts to secure the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA) with the United States to boost Delaware exports to Taiwan and to increase Taiwanese investment in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, in 2023, the trade volume between Delaware and Taiwan amounted to nearly $237 million, and Taiwan is Delaware’s fourth largest source of imports and fifth largest export market in Asia, underscoring Taiwan’s steadfast role as a key trading partner of Delaware; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware General Assembly supports the reopening of a Delaware Trade Office in Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan plays a vital role in regional geopolitics and should be granted access to participate in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) as well as various international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 152 nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the members of the Delaware General Assembly hereby reaffirm Delaware’s commitment to strengthen the sisterhood partnership with Taiwan; commend Taiwan’s vibrant full-fledged democracy; and continue to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in, and contributions to, the international stage.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to Governor John Carney of Delaware and another sent to Ambassador Alexander Yui of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States.

SYNOPSIS

This House Concurrent Resolution reaffirms Delaware's commitment to strengthen the longstanding partnership with Taiwan, supports Taiwan’s efforts to secure the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement and an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with the United States; commends Taiwan’s vibrant full-fledged democracy; supports the reopening of a Delaware Trade Office in Taiwan; and continues to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation and contributions in international organizations.

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