South Carolina General Assembly
121st Session, 2015-2016
H. 4755
STATUS INFORMATION
House Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Pope, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Anthony, Atwater, Bales, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bedingfield, Bernstein, Bingham, Bowers, Bradley, Brannon, G.A.Brown, R.L.Brown, Burns, Chumley, Clary, Clemmons, Clyburn, CobbHunter, Cole, Collins, Corley, H.A.Crawford, Crosby, Daning, Delleney, Dillard, Douglas, Duckworth, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrester, Fry, Funderburk, Gagnon, Gambrell, George, Gilliard, Goldfinch, Govan, Hamilton, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hicks, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hodges, Horne, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jefferson, Johnson, Jordan, Kennedy, King, Kirby, Knight, Limehouse, Loftis, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Mack, McCoy, McEachern, McKnight, M.S.McLeod, W.J.McLeod, Merrill, Mitchell, D.C.Moss, V.S.Moss, Murphy, Nanney, Neal, Newton, Norman, Norrell, Ott, Parks, Pitts, Putnam, Quinn, Ridgeway, Riley, Rivers, RobinsonSimpson, Rutherford, Ryhal, Sandifer, Simrill, G.M.Smith, G.R.Smith, J.E.Smith, Sottile, Southard, Spires, Stavrinakis, Stringer, Tallon, Taylor, Thayer, Tinkler, Toole, Weeks, Wells, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis and Yow
Document Path: l:\council\bills\gm\24556sd16.docx
Introduced in the House on January 27, 2016
Adopted by the House on January 27, 2016
Summary: Taiwan
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
DateBodyAction Description with journal page number
1/27/2016HouseIntroduced and adopted (House Journalpage78)
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
1/27/2016
AHOUSE RESOLUTION
TO COMMEND AND SUPPORT THE DEMOCRATIZATION EFFORTS OF TAIWAN AND THE NATION’S MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION, AND THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE, AS WELL AS OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND TO EXTEND THE MOST SINCERE BEST WISHES OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON BEHALF OF THIS STATE FOR CONTINUED COOPERATION AND SUCCESS.
Whereas, Taiwan and the United States are longstanding allies who both deeply cherish the common values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law; and
Whereas, in the year of 2016, Taiwan held its sixth direct presidential election and again demonstrated the strength and vitality of its democratic system, paving the way for Taiwan as a beacon of democracy in Asia and beyond; and
Whereas, Taiwan serves the best interests of the AsiaPacific region in the continuation of stability and growth. In 2012, President Ma Yingjeou proposed the East China Sea Peace Initiative, which calls upon the parties concerned to resolve disputes peacefully and engage in joint development of resources. In May 2015, President Ma proposed the South China Sea Peace Initiative, which calls for the parties concerned to exercise restraint from taking unilateral actions that could escalate tensions, to respect international law, and to solve disputes through dialogue and in a peaceful manner in order to maintain free and safe passage for ships and flights on and over the South China Sea; and
Whereas, Taiwan and mainland China signed the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) in 2010. United States businesses can collaborate with innovative Taiwanese companies in Taiwan’s comprehensive protection of intellectual property rights and then use Taiwan as a springboard for entering mainland China and other key Asian markets. In November 2015, President Ma and mainland Chinese leader Xi Jinping met in Singapore, agreeing to joint consolidation of crossstrait peace and prosperity; and
Whereas, since 1981, the State of South Carolina and Taiwan have enjoyed long, cordial, and mutually beneficial sisterstate relations, a friendship that continues to strengthen with each passing year; and
Whereas, Taiwan is the United States’ tenthlargest trading partner, and the United States is Taiwan’s secondlargest trading partner; and
Whereas, the designation of Taiwan into the United States’ Visa Waiver Program is a significant step to draw travelers from Taiwan choosing the United States as their destination for trade, investment, and sightseeing; and
Whereas, by working together with Taiwan, South Carolina welcomes all opportunities for an even closer economic partnership, such as the signing of a United StatesTaiwan Bilateral Investment Agreement and a Free Trade Agreement and the inclusion of Taiwan in the TransPacific Partnership in order to enhance the special sisterstate bond between South Carolina and Taiwan and to encourage further cultural, educational, and business exchanges between the citizens of both nations; and
Whereas, Taiwan is an active member in the international community with a long history of commitment to international health and humanitarian aid as well as environmental protection. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
Thatthe members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, commend and support the democratization efforts of Taiwan and the nation’s meaningful participation in the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, as well as other international organizations, and extend their most sincere best wishes for continued cooperation and success.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. HueiYuan “Steven” Tai, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta, Georgia.
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