Bill Text: FL S0502 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Taiwan
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2021-04-30 - Died in Commerce and Tourism, companion bill(s) passed, see HR 8055 (Adopted), SR 2054 (Adopted) [S0502 Detail]
Download: Florida-2021-S0502-Introduced.html
Florida Senate - 2021 (NP) SR 502 By Senator Rodriguez 39-00865-21 2021502__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution encouraging the enhancement of the 3 sister-state relationship and bilateral economic and 4 cultural ties between Florida and the Republic of 5 China, also known as Taiwan, as the two embrace the 6 same fundamental values of freedom, democracy, rule of 7 law, and the protection of human rights. 8 9 WHEREAS, the United States and the Republic of China have 10 maintained and enhanced a close friendship over the decades, 11 encompassing commercial, cultural, and other interactions based 12 on the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, the cornerstone of United 13 States-Republic of China ties, and the 42nd anniversary of 14 enactment of the act will be celebrated in 2021, and 15 WHEREAS, the Republic of China has been a member of the 16 United States Visa Waiver Program since November 1, 2012, 17 reflecting the cooperation between the United States and the 18 Republic of China and making two-way travel for business and 19 tourism more convenient, and 20 WHEREAS, the launch of FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 on June 25, 21 2019, a collaborative space program advanced by the United 22 States and the Republic of China, which involves the deployment 23 of six satellites designed to enhance the accuracy of 24 atmospheric weather prediction, has demonstrated the mutual 25 benefit born of the relationship, and 26 WHEREAS, Tsai Ing-wen, the first female president of the 27 Republic of China, also known as Taiwan, was welcomed to this 28 state in June 2016, as was the Speaker of Tainan City, Kuo Hsin 29 liang, and his delegation in February 2020, further enhancing 30 the bilateral relationship between the Republic of China and 31 Florida, as well as strengthening the common values the republic 32 shares with the United States, and 33 WHEREAS, the Republic of China is an East Asian partner and 34 promoter of regional stability in the Western Pacific with the 35 United States, which continues to provide advanced defensive 36 weaponry and arms to the Republic of China through the sale of 37 military aircraft, communications and defense systems, and 38 munitions, and 39 WHEREAS, the Legislature encourages and supports the 40 Republic of China’s meaningful participation in international 41 organizations like the United Nations Framework Convention on 42 Climate Change and the International Civil Aviation Organization 43 for aviation safety in East Asia, along with its bid for 44 observer status in the World Health Assembly to assist in the 45 battle against COVID-19 during the global pandemic, and 46 WHEREAS, the Republic of China participates in, observes, 47 or cooperates with more than 50 international organizations and 48 holds membership status in both the Asia-Pacific Economic 49 Cooperation and the World Trade Organization, and 50 WHEREAS, in regard to the Republic of China’s contributions 51 in the global market of both traditional and innovative 52 industries, as well as the announcement of the lifting of 53 restrictions on the importation of pork and beef, support for 54 continued bilateral dialogue under the Trade and Investment 55 Framework Agreement, with efforts toward exploring the 56 possibilities for a future bilateral trade agreement with the 57 United States, will globalize the Republic of China’s economy 58 and eliminate trade barriers, thus solidifying the Republic of 59 China as a robust and trustworthy partner to the United States 60 for trade and security in East Asia, and 61 WHEREAS, as of October 2020, the Republic of China was the 62 United States’ ninth largest trading partner and Florida’s sixth 63 largest export market in Asia, garnering the Sunshine State more 64 than $1.147 million in trade and investment ties in 2019, a 16 65 percent increase from the previous year, and 66 WHEREAS, sister-state relations exist between the State of 67 Florida and the Republic of China; Miami-Dade County and New 68 Taipei City, formerly known as Taipei County; the Port of Miami 69 and the Port of Kaohsiung; Tainan City and the City of Orlando; 70 Hengchun Township and the City of Sunny Isles Beach; and 71 Kaohsiung City and the City of Fort Lauderdale, the City of 72 Miami, and the City of Pensacola, and 73 WHEREAS, in the fight against COVID-19, the Republic of 74 China donated more than 420,000 medical masks to state and local 75 governments in Florida, demonstrating its commitment to helping 76 its international partners in times of need, NOW, THEREFORE, 77 78 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 79 80 That the relationship and shared interests between the 81 people of the Republic of China, also known as Taiwan, and the 82 United States, are recognized, and the aforementioned interests 83 and efforts for partnership are supported, and 84 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate expresses its 85 support for future opportunities of international trade 86 developments with the Republic of China to further strengthen 87 the substantive relationship between Florida and the Republic of 88 China, and 89 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with 90 the Seal of the Senate affixed, be transmitted to President Tsai 91 Ing-wen through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami 92 and the Executive Office of the Governor as a tangible token of 93 the sentiments of the Florida Senate.