The Indiana House of Representatives on Thursday passed a resolution reaffirming its sister-state relationship with Taiwan, and supporting Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.
The move follows a similar resolution passed by the Idaho House of Representatives on March 27, which declared support for Idaho’s partnership with Taiwan, US-Taiwan trade relations and Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.
Indiana’s resolution states that “Taiwan shares the same values of freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, peace, and prosperity with the United States and the State of Indiana.”
Photo: Reuters
It also recognizes Taiwan’s diplomatic approach — described as “integrated diplomacy,” “values-based diplomacy,” and “allies diplomacy” — and acknowledges Taiwan’s willingness and capability to contribute to global efforts such as humanitarian aid and medical assistance.
The resolution also “supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations, and opposes any distortion or misuse of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 that may attempt to deny Taiwan’s aspirations to make more contributions in international societies.”
It also highlights Taiwan’s economic importance, noting that the US is Taiwan’s second-largest trading partner, while Taiwan ranks as the US’ eighth-largest. Trade and investment ties between the two sides support an estimated 360,400 well-paying jobs across the US.
The resolution also highlights the need to support Indiana businesses in deepening their economic ties with Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act, while affirming that Indiana businesses may legitimately refer to “Taiwan, ROC” simply as “Taiwan” in their commercial dealings.
Indiana was the first US state to establish a sister-state relationship with Taiwan, signing the agreement in November 1979. Since then, the two sides have maintained robust exchanges in trade, education, culture and tourism, the resolution said.
In 2022, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb led a trade delegation to Taiwan, where he signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade relations, and in 2023, Taiwanese chip design giant MediaTek Inc (聯發科) set up a research and development center in West Lafayette, Indiana, it said.
The resolution was introduced by Representative Ryan Lauer, cochair of the Indiana House Taiwan Friendship Caucus, and passed with bipartisan support from 51 lawmakers.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has fined Taobao NT$1.2 million (US$36,912) for advertisements that exceed its approved business scope, requiring the Chinese e-commerce platform to make corrections in the first half of this year or its license may be revoked. Lawmakers have called for stricter enforcement of Chinese e-commerce platforms and measures to prevent China from laundering its goods through Taiwan in response to US President Donald Trump’s heavy tariffs on China. The Legislative Yuan’s Finance Committee met today to discuss policies to prevent China from dumping goods in Taiwan, inviting government agencies to report. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Kuo Kuo-wen (郭國文) said
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has fined Taobao NT$1.2 million (US$36,900) for advertisements that exceeded its approved business scope and ordered the Chinese e-commerce platform to make corrections in the first half of this year or its license would be revoked. Lawmakers have called for stricter supervision of Chinese e-commerce platforms and more stringent measures to prevent China from laundering its goods through Taiwan as US President Donald Trump’s administration cracks down on origin laundering. The legislature’s Finance Committee yesterday met to discuss policies to prevent China from dumping goods in Taiwan, inviting government agencies to report on the matter. Democratic Progressive Party
Taiwan and its Pacific ally Tuvalu on Tuesday signed two accords aimed at facilitating bilateral cooperation on labor affairs, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The governments inked two agreements in Taipei, witnessed by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) and visiting Deputy Tuvaluan Prime Minister Panapasi Nelesone, MOFA said in a news release. According to MOFA, the agreements will facilitate cooperation on labor issues and allow the two sides to mutually recognize seafarers’ certificates and related training. Taiwan would also continue to collaborate with Tuvalu across various fields to promote economic prosperity as well as the well-being of their
Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), who led efforts to recall Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Kun-cheng (李坤城), was released on bail of NT$80,000 today amid outcry over his decision to wear a Nazi armband to questioning the night before. Sung arrived at the New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office for questioning in a recall petition forgery case last night wearing a red armband bearing a swastika, carrying a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf and giving a Nazi salute. Sung left the building at 1:15am without the armband and covering the book with his coat. Lee said today that this is a serious
RSS