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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is proud of the sister-state 
3relationship it has enjoyed with the Republic of China (Taiwan) 
4since 1992, marked by strong bilateral trade, educational and 
5cultural exchange, and tourism; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Taiwan shares the same values of freedom, 
7democracy, human rights, the rule of law, peace, and prosperity 
8with the United States and the State of Illinois; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, The United States ranks as Taiwan's second largest 
10trading partner; Taiwan is the 10th largest trading partner of 
11the United States; bilateral trade reached $65.3 billion in 
122016; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Taiwan and the State of Illinois have enjoyed a 
14long and mutually beneficial relationship with the prospect of 
15future growth; Taiwan was Illinois' 6th largest export market 
16in Asia in 2016, with $699.49 million worth of Illinois goods 
17exported to Taiwan; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement 
19(BTA) between Taiwan and the United States are an important 
20step toward further strengthening bilateral trade between our 
21countries, thereby increasing Illinois' exports to Taiwan and 
 
 
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1creating bilateral investment and technical collaboration 
2through tariff reduction and other trade facilitation 
3measures; and
  
 
4    WHEREAS, Taiwan has undertaken a policy of "steadfast 
5diplomacy" in its international relations; Taiwan is capable of 
6and willing to fulfill its responsibilities and to collaborate 
7with the world to deal with the challenges of humanitarian aid, 
8disease control, and so forth; therefore, be it
  
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
10HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
11reaffirm our commitment to the strengthening and deepening of 
12the sister-state relationship between Taiwan and the State of 
13Illinois; and be it further
 
14    RESOLVED, That we endorse Taiwan's efforts to secure the 
15signing of Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United 
16States; and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That we continue to support Taiwan's appropriate 
18participation in international organizations which impact the 
19health, safety, and well-being of its people, and support its 
20aspiration to make more contributions in international 
21societies; and be it further
  
 
 
 
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1    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
2delivered to all  members of the Illinois Congressional 
3Delegation and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in 
4Chicago.