SR0063LRB103 27061 ECR 53429 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, In 1992, the State of Illinois established a
3sister-state relationship with Taiwan, the Republic of China
4(R.O.C.); since that time, Illinois and Taiwan have enjoyed
5strong bilateral trade, educational and cultural exchanges,
6and tourism; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Taiwan shares the same values of freedom,
8democracy, human rights, the rule of law, peace, and
9prosperity with the State of Illinois and the United States;
10and
 
11    WHEREAS, The United States ranks as Taiwan's
12second-largest trading partner; Taiwan is the eighth-largest
13trading partner of the United States, with bilateral trade
14reaching more than US$ 856 billion in 2021; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Taiwan and the State of Illinois have enjoyed a
16long and mutually beneficial relationship with the prospect of
17future growth; Taiwan was Illinois' seventh-largest export
18market in Asia in 2021, with US$ 747 million worth of Illinois
19goods exported to Taiwan; and
 
20    WHEREAS, To strengthen the Taiwan-Illinois bilateral
21economic relationship, it is essential to support Illinois

 

 

SR0063- 2 -LRB103 27061 ECR 53429 r

1businesses to enhance their economic engagement with Taiwan
2based on the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA, Public Law 96-8,
322 U.S.C. 3301); Article 4, Section b of the TRA stipulates
4that "wherever the laws of the United States refer or relate to
5foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar
6entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply
7with respect to Taiwan"; it is legitimate for Illinois
8businesses to refer to Taiwan, R.O.C. as Taiwan in conducting
9their business ties with Taiwan; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement
11(BTA), the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA), and
12the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)
13between Taiwan and the United States are an important step
14toward further strengthening bilateral trade between our
15countries and will thereby increase Illinois' exports to
16Taiwan and create bilateral investment and technical
17collaboration through tariff reduction and other trade
18facilitation measures; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Taiwan has undertaken a policy of "steadfast
20diplomacy" in its international relations; Taiwan is capable
21of, and willing to, fulfill its responsibilities and to
22collaborate with the world to deal with the challenges of
23humanitarian aid, disease control, and so forth; therefore, be
24it
 

 

 

SR0063- 3 -LRB103 27061 ECR 53429 r

1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we reaffirm our
3commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the
4sister-state ties between the State of Illinois and Taiwan,
5R.O.C.; and be it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That we reaffirm our support for the Taiwan
7Relations Act (TRA) and support Illinois businesses to refer
8to Taiwan, R.O.C. as Taiwan; and be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That we endorse Taiwan's efforts to secure the
10signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), the Avoidance of
11Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA), and the Indo-Pacific
12Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) with the United
13States, and we reiterate our support for a closer economic and
14trade partnership between the State of Illinois and Taiwan;
15and be it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That we continue to support Taiwan's meaningful
17participation in international organizations that impact the
18health, safety, and well-being of the people of Taiwan, and we
19support Taiwan's aspiration to make more contributions in
20international societies.