Bill Text: FL S0502 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Taiwan
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2021-04-30 - Died in Commerce and Tourism, companion bill(s) passed, see HR 8055 (Adopted), SR 2054 (Adopted) [S0502 Detail]
Download: Florida-2021-S0502-Introduced.html
Florida Senate - 2021 (NP) SR 502
By Senator Rodriguez
39-00865-21 2021502__
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, as the two embrace the
6 same fundamental values of freedom, democracy, rule of
7 law, and the protection of human rights.
8
9 WHEREAS, the United States and the Republic of China have
10 maintained and enhanced a close friendship over the decades,
11 encompassing commercial, cultural, and other interactions based
12 on the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, the cornerstone of United
13 States-Republic of China ties, and the 42nd anniversary of
14 enactment of the act will be celebrated in 2021, and
15 WHEREAS, the Republic of China has been a member of the
16 United States Visa Waiver Program since November 1, 2012,
17 reflecting the cooperation between the United States and the
18 Republic of China and making two-way travel for business and
19 tourism more convenient, and
20 WHEREAS, the launch of FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 on June 25,
21 2019, a collaborative space program advanced by the United
22 States and the Republic of China, which involves the deployment
23 of six satellites designed to enhance the accuracy of
24 atmospheric weather prediction, has demonstrated the mutual
25 benefit born of the relationship, and
26 WHEREAS, Tsai Ing-wen, the first female president of the
27 Republic of China, also known as Taiwan, was welcomed to this
28 state in June 2016, as was the Speaker of Tainan City, Kuo Hsin
29 liang, and his delegation in February 2020, further enhancing
30 the bilateral relationship between the Republic of China and
31 Florida, as well as strengthening the common values the republic
32 shares with the United States, and
33 WHEREAS, the Republic of China is an East Asian partner and
34 promoter of regional stability in the Western Pacific with the
35 United States, which continues to provide advanced defensive
36 weaponry and arms to the Republic of China through the sale of
37 military aircraft, communications and defense systems, and
38 munitions, and
39 WHEREAS, the Legislature encourages and supports the
40 Republic of China’s meaningful participation in international
41 organizations like the United Nations Framework Convention on
42 Climate Change and the International Civil Aviation Organization
43 for aviation safety in East Asia, along with its bid for
44 observer status in the World Health Assembly to assist in the
45 battle against COVID-19 during the global pandemic, and
46 WHEREAS, the Republic of China participates in, observes,
47 or cooperates with more than 50 international organizations and
48 holds membership status in both the Asia-Pacific Economic
49 Cooperation and the World Trade Organization, and
50 WHEREAS, in regard to the Republic of China’s contributions
51 in the global market of both traditional and innovative
52 industries, as well as the announcement of the lifting of
53 restrictions on the importation of pork and beef, support for
54 continued bilateral dialogue under the Trade and Investment
55 Framework Agreement, with efforts toward exploring the
56 possibilities for a future bilateral trade agreement with the
57 United States, will globalize the Republic of China’s economy
58 and eliminate trade barriers, thus solidifying the Republic of
59 China as a robust and trustworthy partner to the United States
60 for trade and security in East Asia, and
61 WHEREAS, as of October 2020, the Republic of China was the
62 United States’ ninth largest trading partner and Florida’s sixth
63 largest export market in Asia, garnering the Sunshine State more
64 than $1.147 million in trade and investment ties in 2019, a 16
65 percent increase from the previous year, and
66 WHEREAS, sister-state relations exist between the State of
67 Florida and the Republic of China; Miami-Dade County and New
68 Taipei City, formerly known as Taipei County; the Port of Miami
69 and the Port of Kaohsiung; Tainan City and the City of Orlando;
70 Hengchun Township and the City of Sunny Isles Beach; and
71 Kaohsiung City and the City of Fort Lauderdale, the City of
72 Miami, and the City of Pensacola, and
73 WHEREAS, in the fight against COVID-19, the Republic of
74 China donated more than 420,000 medical masks to state and local
75 governments in Florida, demonstrating its commitment to helping
76 its international partners in times of need, NOW, THEREFORE,
77
78 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
79
80 That the relationship and shared interests between the
81 people of the Republic of China, also known as Taiwan, and the
82 United States, are recognized, and the aforementioned interests
83 and efforts for partnership are supported, and
84 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate expresses its
85 support for future opportunities of international trade
86 developments with the Republic of China to further strengthen
87 the substantive relationship between Florida and the Republic of
88 China, and
89 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with
90 the Seal of the Senate affixed, be transmitted to President Tsai
91 Ing-wen through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami
92 and the Executive Office of the Governor as a tangible token of
93 the sentiments of the Florida Senate.
