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US state adopts three resolutions in support of Taiwan

The Indiana State Senate on Monday unanimously adopted resolutions in support of Taiwan's bid to join the UN, the WHO and to sign a free trade agreement with the US.

The Indiana Senate resolutions stated that the UN bid should be supported as Taiwan is economically stable, has a mature democracy and a sound human rights record, and is eager to cooperate with the international community. Furthermore, Taiwan's entry into the WHO should likewise be supported, as it has actively participated and contributed in various technological exchanges within the organization, the resolutions said.

The senate also said that Taiwan and the US shared democratic principles and important economic partnerships. Thus the signing of a free trade agreement would boost both nations, and solidify US interests in Asia.

Accompanied by Thomas Cheng (鄭天授), head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, and Taiwanese, Taiwan's representative in the US Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) visited the Indiana Senate.

OVATION

After the resolutions were passed, Wu was introduced to the assembly by Democrat leader Richard Young, and received a standing ovation.

Wu said that visits often reveal the friendship and support which Americans feel for Taiwanese.

Later on Monday evening, Wu delivered a speech on relations between Taiwan and the US.

The event was held at Marian College in Indianapolis, the state capital, with Wu speaking at the invitation of an academic circle of Indiana and Taiwanese compatriots in the US.

The event was co-sponsored by Marian College, the Indiana Council on World Affairs, the Taiwanese American Association of Indianapolis and the Indiana Chapter of Formosan Association for Public Affairs.

Wu analyzed the relationship between the two nations from various perspectives, including national defense, trade and the economy, and the development of democracy in his speech entitled "Taiwan and the US -- Partners in Security, Prosperity and Democracy."

PARTNERS

Wu said that the two sides supported each other in maintaining world and regional peace, that Taiwan has always supported US anti-terrorist measures and that the US provides weapons to Taiwan as a shield against China's military aggression to help maintain regional peace in Asia.

As for trade relations and the development of democracy, Wu said Taiwan had developed a close relationship with the US and that its development of democracy since 1980 had to be accredited to assistance from the US and support from Taiwanese in the US.

In response to questions on cross-strait relations, Wu said Taiwanese businesspeople had made considerable investments in China. He also said that the majority of Taiwanese hope to maintain the "status quo."

Wu said that as China had grown more economically powerful, several countries previously allied with Taiwan had switched their ties to China in exchange for financial aid. He said Taiwan mainly provides agricultural and technical assistance, rather than large sums of financial aid, to its allies.
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