Bill Text: NJ ACR187 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commemorates 100th anniversary of founding of Republic of China (Taiwan).

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-05-09 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State Government Committee [ACR187 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2010-ACR187-Introduced.html

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ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 187

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

214th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED MAY 9, 2011

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  JOHN S. WISNIEWSKI

District 19 (Middlesex)

Assemblywoman  LINDA STENDER

District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Commemorates 100th anniversary of founding of Republic of China (Taiwan).

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

A Concurrent Resolution commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China.

 

Whereas, The Republic of China is the first republic in Asia and will soon mark the 100^th anniversary of its 1911 founding; and since its relocating to Taiwan in 1949, for the first time, Taiwan and Mainland China have significantly improved their relations in recent years through a shared focus on the "three links" of transportation, commerce, and communications; and

Whereas, Through Cross-Strait dialogues, the establishment of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with Mainland China and a policy of flexible diplomacy which are implemented by the government under President Ma Ying-Jeou, Taiwan has transformed itself into a cornerstone for peace and prosperity in East Asia; and

Whereas, Taiwan's economic growth has been accompanied by the development of a strong and successful democracy, which together make it a positive example for its neighbors in Asia and an important political partner for the United States; and

Whereas, Signs of this partnership include Taiwan's status as the ninth largest trading partner with the United States and the strong economic partnerships it has formed with individual States; and

Whereas, Among these partnerships is the one Taiwan has with New Jersey, which exported $634 million worth of products to Taiwan in 2010, making Taiwan the 17^th largest foreign market for the State; and

Whereas, Many of New Jersey's largest employers have a presence in Taiwan, including Johnson & Johnson, Verizon, and Prudential Financial; and

Whereas, Taiwan has a presence in New Jersey through a growing Taiwanese-American community of over 7,000 residents, who bring their skills and abilities to strengthen our communities but still care deeply for their former homeland; and

Whereas, New Jersey has maintained a friendly and fruitful sister-State relationship with Taiwan for over 20 years, a symbol of the close connection between Taiwan and New Jersey; now, therefore,

 

     Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

 

     1.    The Legislature hereby commemorates the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China and expresses its commitment to continuing a close economic partnership with Taiwan.

 

     2.    A duly authenticated copy of this concurrent resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and the President of the Senate and attested by the Clerk of the General Assembly and the Secretary of the Senate, shall be transmitted to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This concurrent resolution commemorates the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China.  Dr. Sun Yat-Sen founded the Republic of China in 1911 after the fall of the Manchu Dynasty, establishing the first republic on the continent of Asia.  During a civil war in China the government of the Republic of China was forced to relocate to the island of Taiwan, so that the republic is now commonly referred to as Taiwan.  The opposing side in the war was the army of the Chinese Communist Party which currently occupies the mainland of China. 

     The Republic of China and the People's Republic of China, established by the Chinese Communists, have had a complicated relationship, as both parties have claimed to be the rightful rulers of China.  A major breakthrough in the relations between the two groups came in 1992 with the "1992 consensus" under which both sides agreed to set aside the question of sovereignty while discussing operational questions between Taiwan and mainland China.  The "1992 consensus" allowed both sides to focus on the "three links" of transportation, commerce, and communication that both sides deemed important.  The two sides have made significant diplomatic progress since 1992 by opening travel and trade between Taiwan and mainland China.  These new economic ties have made Taiwan an even more important strategic partner for America, as have its other relationships in the Far East and its status as a thriving democracy with an advanced economy. 

     Taiwan is America's 9^th largest trading partner, and the 17^th largest export market for New Jersey, making it an important economic partner for the State.  Many major New Jersey companies do business in Taiwan, providing us with a physical presence to accompany our trade relationship.  New Jersey has a domestic interest in Taiwan as well, due to a rapidly growing Taiwanese-American population.  New Jersey has maintained a political relationship with Taiwan through a sister-State relationship that began in 1989.  In light of the strong relationship New Jersey has with Taiwan, this concurrent resolution commemorates the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China and expresses our commitment to continuing that relationship.