Hawaii-2024-HR80-Introduced

WHEREAS, the United States and the Republic of China, known commonly in the United States as Taiwan, are bonded by a shared commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and a free market economy; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan actively engages in climate change research, supports anti-terrorism cooperation, and works with its partners to tackle transnational crime; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan's meaningful participation in the World Health Organization, International Criminal Police Organization, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and International Civil Aviation Organization would make international mechanisms more inclusive and comprehensive; and

WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States passed the landmark Taiwan Relations Act in 1979 to sustain a close bilateral relationship and advance mutual security and commercial interests between the United States and Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, the Taiwan Relations Act serves as the cornerstone of United States-Taiwan relations, preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, which is crucial to the maintenance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan is an indispensable partner in safeguarding peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan is the ninth largest trading partner of the United States, with 2022 bilateral trade totaling $135.5 billion; and

WHEREAS, the United States-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework will help to bolster the economic potential of the region by defining shared trade objectives among partners and addressing standards for technology, supply chains, the digital economy, and clean energy; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan has expressed support for, and wishes to become a full member of, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework; and

WHEREAS, the intent of the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st‑Century Trade is to develop concrete methods to deepen the economic and trade relationship between the two countries; advance mutual trade priorities based on shared values; and promote innovative and inclusive economic growth for workers and businesses in both countries, including through new trade agreements; and

WHEREAS, to strengthen bilateral trade, the government of Taiwan has expressed its desire to sign with the United States a Bilateral Trade Agreement, Bilateral Investment Agreement, and an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii and Taiwan established a sister-state relationship in 1993, developing an enduring and mutually beneficial friendship exemplified by the government of Taiwan's generous contribution of $500,000 to Hawaii in the aftermath of the Maui wildfire disaster of August 2023; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan is Hawaii's tenth-largest import partner, having a totaled value of $54,000,000, and ninth-largest export partner, having a totaled value of $13,000,000 in 2021; and

WHEREAS, compared to other states, Hawaii is one of the top exporters of agriculture products to Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii Office in Taipei and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Honolulu have worked together to promote substantial cooperation and exchanges in areas of tourism, agriculture, culture, education, and trade; and

WHEREAS, the United States-Taiwan Education Initiative was launched in 2020 to strengthen cooperation on international education and highlight Taiwan's ability to provide Mandarin language instruction; and

WHEREAS, given Mandarin's designation in the United States as a critical language, as well as Taiwan's plans to be bilingual by 2030, schools and institutions of higher education in both Hawaii and Taiwan are encouraged to enhance their exchange programs, as exemplified by the partnership between the University of Hawaii and the National Tsing Hua University; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan has established a gift scholarship program at the University of Hawaii to sponsor Language Flagship students for Mandarin immersion programs in Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii and the National Taiwan Ocean University have signed a memorandum of understanding on Academic Cooperation and Agreement of Cooperative 3+2 Master Programs, which will further improve the bilateral exchange of education; and

WHEREAS, the United States has assisted Taiwan in participating in the World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, and International Criminal Police Organization and will continue to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in these and other international organizations; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that this body endorses the participation of Taiwan as an observer in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, International Civil Aviation Organization, World Health Organization, and International Criminal Police Organization; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body supports further progress on the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade and the early conclusion of negotiations, and encourages the United States Trade Representative to commence negotiations to enter into a bilateral trade agreement with Taiwan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body commemorates the State of Hawaii's thirty-first anniversary of sister-state relations with Taiwan and the forty-fifth anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this measure be transmitted to the President of the United States; Majority Leader of the United States Senate; Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; United States Secretary of State; United States Trade Representative; members of Hawaii's Congressional delegation; Governor of Hawaii; and Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Taiwan; Relations; International Participation

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	80
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII