Bill Text: NJ AR249 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Memorializes 28th anniversary of New Jersey-Taiwan sister state relationship and importance of strong and enduring relations between New Jersey and Taiwan.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-06-29 - Filed with Secretary of State [AR249 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-AR249-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman GORDON M. JOHNSON
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Memorializes 28th anniversary of New Jersey-Taiwan sister state relationship and importance of strong and enduring relations between New Jersey and Taiwan.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution memorializing the 28th anniversary of the New Jersey-Taiwan sister state relationship and the importance of a strong and enduring partnership between New Jersey and Taiwan.
Whereas, New Jersey and the Republic of China (Taiwan) have enjoyed a close and prosperous affiliation since 1989, when they entered into a sister state relationship; and
Whereas, Taiwan has become a multiparty democracy in which all citizens have the right to participate freely in the political process, as evidenced by Taiwan's six democratic presidential elections, which took place in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016; and
Whereas, New Jersey exported approximately $501 million worth of products to Taiwan in 2016, making Taiwan one of the State's top trading partners, and the sister state relationship will keep strengthening bilateral economic ties; and
Whereas, More than 300 Taiwanese companies has invested in New Jersey, including Formosa Plastic Corporation, Eva Air, Evergreen Marine, Yang Ming Marine Transport, and AAEON Electronics Inc., and it is notable that in 2016, Taiwan G.D. Development Corporation completed the "Lumberton Solar Power Plant," generating 12,000 MWh of green energy and reducing 23,000 metric tons of carbon emission annually; and
Whereas, Individuals from Taiwan who have immigrated to this country and to New Jersey have contributed greatly to the State's diversity, thriving international culture, and economic development; and
Whereas, There were a total of 8,956 jobs in 2015 supported by Taiwan in New Jersey, including 3,679 jobs supported by investment from Taiwan affiliated companies, 2,594 jobs supported by exports of goods to Taiwan, and 2,683 jobs supported by exports of services to Taiwan; and
Whereas, The United States and Taiwan share a long-term and close economic relationship, including $65.3 billion of bilateral trade in 2016, making Taiwan the 10th largest trading partner of the United States; and
Whereas, The United States Congress passed the landmark Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) in 1979 to sustain a close bilateral relationship as well as to advance mutual security and commercial interests between the United States and Taiwan, and the TRA has served as the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan relations and has helped to preserve peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait; and
Whereas, The United States aided Taiwan in attaining participation in the assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2009 and of the assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2013, and this country should continue to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in other international organizations, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the International Crime Police Organization (INTERPOL); now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House memorializes the 28th anniversary of the New Jersey-Taiwan sister state relationship and the importance of a strong and enduring partnership between New Jersey and the Republic of China (Taiwan), and reiterates its support for a closer economic and trade partnership between the United States and Taiwan.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to President Tsai Ing-wen of the Republic of China (Taiwan) through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York.
STATEMENT
This resolution memorializes the 28th anniversary of the New Jersey-Taiwan sister state relationship and the importance of a strong and enduring partnership between New Jersey and Taiwan, and it reiterates support for a closer economic and trade partnership between the United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Since the establishment of the sister state agreement between New Jersey and Taiwan in 1989, both partners have benefited from each other's residents, businesses, and resources. The General Assembly expresses the hope that the relationship between New Jersey and Taiwan will grow stronger in the years to come.
