LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION celebrating Taiwan Heritage Day

WHEREAS, The United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) share
common ideals and a clear vision for the 21st century, where freedom and
democracy are the foundation for peace, prosperity, and progress; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan has become a multiparty democracy in which all citi-
zens have the right to participate freely in the political process, as
evidenced by Taiwan's five democratic presidential elections, which took
place in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012; and
WHEREAS, Through the cross-Strait dialogue, the establishment of the
Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with mainland China, and
the policy of Viable Diplomacy, President Ma Ying-jeou of the Republic
of China (Taiwan) has transformed the Taiwan Strait from a major inter-
national flashpoint into an essential component of East Asian peace and
prosperity; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan is one of the strongest democratic allies of the
United States in the Asia-Pacific region and spares no effort to main-
tain peace and prosperity in East Asia, as evidenced by the East China
Sea Peace Initiative proposed by President Ma Ying-jeou; and
WHEREAS, The United States passed the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979 to
define the relations between the United States and the Republic of China
(Taiwan), which strongly strengthens their friendship; and
WHEREAS, The United States and Taiwan share a long-term and close
economic relationship, including $63.6 billion of bilateral trade in
2013, making Taiwan the 10th largest trading partner of the United
States; and
WHEREAS, The United States assisted Taiwan in attaining participation
in the assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
in 2013 and will continue supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation
in other United Nations-affiliated organizations such as the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); and
WHEREAS, In order to strengthen bilateral trade relations with the
United States, the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has
expressed its wish to participate in the Trans-Pacific Strategic Econom-
ic Partnership Agreement (TPP), and to sign a Bilateral Investment
Agreement (BIA) and a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States
in the near future; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York exported $763 million and imported $1.7
billion worth of products to/from Taiwan in 2013, making Taiwan the 15th
largest foreign market for New York State, strengthening bilateral
economic ties; and
WHEREAS, Many of the United States' top 500 companies headquartered in
New York, including IBM, Pfizer, Corning, Citigroup, AIG, MetLife,
JPMorgan Chase, Merrill Lynch, and New York Life, have invested in
Taiwan. The State of New York has maintained a friendly and fruitful
relationship with Taiwan for many years; and
WHEREAS, There are more than 300 Taiwanese companies that have
invested in the State of New York in sectors such as computers, finance,
jewelry, sporting goods, and garments; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York is home to a thriving overseas Taiwa-
nese community. The societies of Taiwan and Taiwanese Americans, includ-
ing the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, the Chinese Chamber
of Commerce of New York, Inc, Buddha's Light International Association
in New York and the National Women's League of the Republic of China
(Taiwan), devote themselves to serving the community of the State of New
York; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Legislature held the 2nd Taiwan Heritage
Day Celebration at the Legislative Office Building in Albany in May
2014, to promote bilateral relations between New York and Taiwan, and
this Legislature is holding the 3rd Taiwan Heritage Day Celebration in
2015; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate Taiwan Heritage Day; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to President Ma Ying-jeou of the Republic of China (Taiwan)
through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York.