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.