Assembly Resolution No. 393

BY: M. of A. Sepulveda

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
citizens have the right to participate freely in the political process,
as evidenced by Taiwan's six democratic presidential elections, which
took place in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016; and

WHEREAS, In 1979, the United States passed the Taiwan Relations Act
to define the relations of the United States and Taiwan, which strongly
strengthened their friendship; and

WHEREAS, The United States and Taiwan share a long-term and close
economic relationship, including $65.4 billion in bilateral trade in
2016, 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 World Health Organization (WHO)
since 2009 and of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
in 2013 and will continue supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation
in other organizations such as the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the International Criminal Police
Organization (INTERPOL); 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 sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United
States in the near future; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York exported $637 million worth of
products to Taiwan in 2016, making Taiwan the 16th largest foreign
market for the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Many of the United States' top 500 companies headquartered
in New York, including IBM, Pfizer, Corning, Citigroup, AIG, MetLife,
JPMorgan Chase, and New York Life, have invested in Taiwan supporting
the mutually beneficial relationship for decades; 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, Taiwan supports New York State's economic initiatives by
encouraging young entrepreneurs to join the "START-UP NY" program, as
well as partner with New York research institutes as Taiwan's TSMC did
when it participated in the "NY Global 450 Consortium" program for the
next generation semiconductor technology; and

WHEREAS, There were a total of 12,760 jobs in 2016 supported by
Taiwan in New York State, including 1,008 jobs supported by investment
from Taiwan affiliated companies, 5,533 jobs supported by the export of
goods to Taiwan and 6,219 jobs supported by the export of services to
Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York is home to a thriving overseas ethnic
Chinese communities that support the Republic of China (Taiwan),
including the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA), the
Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of New York, Inc., the Chinese Chamber of
Commerce of New York, Inc., Buddha's Light International Association in
New York, the Taiwan Center (Senior Center), Taiwanese American
Association of New York, the Union of Taiwan Universities and Colleges
Alumni Association and the National Women's League of the Republic of
China (Taiwan), that devote themselves to the harmony and development of
the community of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Legislature held the 4th Taiwan Heritage
Day Celebration at the Legislative Office Building in Albany in May
2016, to promote bilateral relations between New York and Taiwan, and
will hold the 5th Taiwan Heritage Day Celebration in 2017; 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
transmitted to President Tsai, Ing-wen of the Republic of China (Taiwan)
through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York.