SECOND REGULAR SESSION
House Concurrent Resolution No. 12
97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE HOSKINS.
WHEREAS, the State of Missouri maintains and values its relationship with Taiwan; and
WHEREAS, April 10, 2014, will mark the 35th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act, which encourages continued commercial and cultural relations between the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan; and
WHEREAS, in 2012, Taiwan was the 10th largest import partner and the 23rd largest export partner of Missouri; and
WHEREAS, in March 2013, Governor Jay Nixon led a 31-member delegation to visit Taiwan, witnessing the signing of the Memorandum of Intent between Taiwan and Missouri, which will take all steps as may be necessary and feasible to promote trade and economic cooperation with the goal of $500 million in exports over the next four years between the parties; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan and the United States resumed negotiation under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in March 2013, afer a five-year hiatus; and
WHEREAS, a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) gives investors in both economies greater assurance that the capital they are putting at risk in each other's market will be adequately protected; and
WHEREAS, the United States has already concluded - or is seeking to negotiate - bilateral investment agreements with 9 of its top 10 trading partners, and Taiwan is the sole exception; and
WHEREAS, opening negotiations for a BIA between the United States and Taiwan will provide more stability for strong two-way investment ties; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan hopes to work via regional economic bodies to further develop bilateral and multilateral trade with the United States and other nations in the Asia-Pacific region, seeking to join the United States-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP); and
WHEREAS, in 2010, Taiwan and mainland China signed a landmark trade agreement, the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA). This trade agreement has opened up immense opportunities to Taiwan investors, including those who are from Missouri and in mainland China, and continues to expand to provide additional benefits; and
WHEREAS, United States support has provided an important force for Taiwan in continuing to promote cross-strait reconciliation; and
WHEREAS, even though cross-strait relations are now more stable and peaceful than at any other time in the past 60 years, Taiwan still needs to have a strong national defense to ensure the safety of its people. It is with this in mind that Taiwan and the United States maintain security cooperation, which is an important part of the bilateral relationship; and
WHEREAS, arms sales approved by former President George W. Bush and current President Barack Obama have bolstered Taiwan's security and enhanced the defensive capabilities and given Taiwan greater confidence to pursue improved relations with mainland China; and
WHEREAS, civil aviation plays a pivotal role in promoting cultural exchange, business, trade, and tourism; and
WHEREAS, the development of international civil aviation in a safe and orderly manner is the supreme cause of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); and
WHEREAS, without Taiwan's participation, international flight plans, regulations, and procedures that the ICAO formulates will be incomplete and unsafe; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez, President of ICAO, sent a letter to Ms. Shen Chi, Director General of the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA), inviting her to lead a delegation to the 38th Session of the Assembly of ICAO which was convened September 24 to October 4, 2013, in Montreal, Canada, as his guests under the name "Chinese Taipei"; and
WHEREAS, United States Department of State spokesperson Jen Psaki and the United States Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx have both expressed their support for this development; and
WHEREAS, as an island in the Pacific Ocean, Taiwan is imperiled by rising sea levels and the ravages of extreme weather; and
WHEREAS, it is apparent that to overcome the challenges posed by immense undertaking as climate change, there must be concerted effort and cooperation among the world citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan's exclusion from meaningful participation in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has been to the detriment of both the Taiwan people and the global community, as Taiwan not only has the means but also incentive to make a meaningful contribution; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan's request to participate in the ICAO and the UNFCCC is fully in line with the United States government's policy of supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation in United Nations specialized agencies:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-seventh General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby welcome the resumption of TIFA talks between the United States and Taiwan, and express support for Taiwan's efforts to secure entry into the TPP, along with the United States and other friendly Asia-Pacific Rim countries; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Missouri General Assembly encourages and supports the United States to sell Taiwan the weapons and defense services necessary to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Missouri General Assembly endorses Taiwan's meaningful participation in the ICAO as an observer; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Missouri General Assembly is supportive of all efforts to grant Taiwan official observer status at the UNFCCC and as a collaborative partner of the United States on a wide range of public issues, Taiwan should be afforded the opportunity to participate in global efforts aimed at reducing and preventing natural disasters; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for John Kerry, United States Secretary of State; Anthony Foxx, the United States Secretary of Transportation; Gina McCarthy, United States Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; each member of the Missouri Congressional delegation; and Jack J.C. Yang, the Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Kansas City, Missouri.
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