Florida Senate - 2020 (NP) SR 1704
By Senator Flores
39-01824-20 20201704__
1 Senate Resolution
2 A resolution encouraging the enhancement of the
3 sister-state relationship and bilateral economic and
4 cultural ties between Florida and the Republic of
5 China, also known as Taiwan, and reaffirming and
6 maintaining the commitment of the State of Florida to
7 its strong and deepening relationship with the
8 Republic of China, as the two embrace the same
9 fundamental values of freedom, democracy, and the
10 protection of human rights.
11
12 WHEREAS, Tsai Ing-wen, the first female president of the
13 Republic of China, also known as Taiwan, was welcomed to this
14 state in June 2016, as will be the Speaker of Tainan City, Kuo
15 Hsin-liang, and his delegation in 2020, further enhancing the
16 bilateral relationship between the Republic of China and
17 Florida, as well as strengthening the common values the republic
18 shares with the United States, and
19 WHEREAS, the United States and the Republic of China have
20 maintained and enhanced a close friendship over the decades,
21 encompassing commercial, cultural, and other interactions based
22 on the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, the cornerstone of United
23 States-Republic of China ties, and the 41st anniversary of
24 enactment of the act will be celebrated in 2020, and
25 WHEREAS, the Republic of China is an East Asian partner and
26 promoter of regional stability in the Western Pacific with the
27 United States, which continues to provide defensive weaponry and
28 arms to the Republic of China through the sale of naval vessels,
29 equipment, and munitions, including 60 Sikorsky UH-60M Black
30 Hawk helicopters, the ownership of which was officially
31 transferred in Florida, with most post-sale training conducted
32 in this state, creating local job opportunities and helping the
33 Republic of China maintain its defensive capabilities in the
34 region, and
35 WHEREAS, the launch of FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 on June 25,
36 2019, a collaborative space program advanced by the United
37 States and the Republic of China, which involves the deployment
38 of six satellites designed to enhance the accuracy of
39 atmospheric weather prediction, has demonstrated the mutual
40 benefit born of the relationship, and
41 WHEREAS, the Legislature encourages and supports the
42 Republic of China’s meaningful participation in international
43 organizations, including its bid for observer status in the
44 International Criminal Police Organization and the World Health
45 Assembly, along with meaningful participation in the United
46 Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the
47 International Civil Aviation Organization for aviation safety in
48 East Asia, which is in the best interests of both regional and
49 global economic and civil activities, and
50 WHEREAS, the Republic of China participates in, observes,
51 or cooperates with more than 50 international organizations and
52 holds membership status in both the Asia-Pacific Economic
53 Cooperation and the World Trade Organization, and
54 WHEREAS, the Republic of China has been a member of the
55 United States Visa Waiver Program since November 1, 2012,
56 reflecting the cooperation between the United States and the
57 Republic of China and making two-way travel for business and
58 tourism more convenient, and
59 WHEREAS, in regard to the Republic of China’s contributions
60 in the global market of both traditional and innovative
61 industries, support for continued bilateral dialogue under the
62 Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, with efforts toward
63 exploring the possibilities for a future bilateral trade
64 agreement with the United States, will globalize the Republic of
65 China’s economy and eliminate trade barriers, thus solidifying
66 the Republic of China as a robust and trustworthy partner to the
67 United States for trade and security in East Asia, and
68 WHEREAS, the Republic of China is the United States’ tenth
69 largest trading partner and Florida’s sixth largest export
70 market in Asia, garnering the Sunshine State more than 7,850
71 jobs and $944.3 million in trade and investment ties in 2018,
72 and
73 WHEREAS, sister-state relations exist between the State of
74 Florida and the Republic of China; Miami-Dade County and New
75 Taipei City, formerly known as Taipei County; the Port of Miami
76 and the Port of Kaohsiung; Tainan City and the City of Orlando;
77 and Kaohsiung City and the City of Fort Lauderdale, the City of
78 Miami, and the City of Pensacola, NOW, THEREFORE,
79
80 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
81
82 That the relationship and shared interests between the
83 people of the Republic of China, also known as Taiwan, and the
84 United States, are recognized, and the aforementioned interests
85 and efforts for partnership are supported, and
86 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate expresses its
87 support for future opportunities of international trade
88 developments with the Republic of China to further strengthen
89 the substantive relationship between Florida and the Republic of
90 China, and
91 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with
92 the Seal of the Senate affixed, be transmitted to President Tsai
93 Ing-wen and Speaker Kuo Hsin-liang through the Taipei Economic
94 and Cultural Office in Miami and the Executive Office of the
95 Governor as a tangible token of the sentiments of the Florida
96 Senate.