Thirty US state legislatures have passed pro-Taiwan resolutions this year, demonstrating strong and growing bipartisan momentum in support of Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said.
The Illinois House of Representatives adopted its latest resolution on Taiwan on Tuesday, reaffirming its support for Taiwan and strengthening its sister-state relationship. It marks the fifth consecutive year that Illinois has passed Taiwan-friendly resolutions.
This year’s resolution affirms support for the Taiwan Relations Act, encourages Illinois businesses to refer to Taiwan by its official name and backs Taiwan’s efforts to secure economic agreements with the US, including a bilateral free trade agreement, an avoidance of double taxation agreement and Taiwan’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
Photo: I-Hwa Cheng, Bloomberg
Illinois supports “the further strengthening of a closer economic and trade partnership between Illinois and Taiwan with multiple possible approaches, including signing an economic and trade memorandum of understanding, exploring the possibility of establishing an Illinois Office in Taiwan and sending Illinois high-level officials to visit Taiwan,” the resolution says.
The resolution supports Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, including the UN, the WHO, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and Interpol — citing the importance of such inclusion for the health, safety and well-being of the peoples of Taiwan, Illinois, the US and the world.
The resolution also opposes any distortion or misuse of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 as a means to block Taiwan’s efforts to contribute to the international community.
In response, the ministry expressed appreciation for the state legislature’s support, citing how the resolution not only affirms the Taiwan Relations Act and Taiwan’s policy of integrated diplomacy, but also clearly opposes the distortion or misuse of UN Resolution 2758.
Since January, 30 US states have passed Taiwan-friendly resolutions, with provisions supporting stronger bilateral economic and trade ties, addressing the issue of double taxation, advocating for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and rejecting the distortion of UN Resolution 2758, the ministry said, adding that they reflect the growing momentum of support for Taiwan across the US, it added.
The ministry expressed its gratitude to the state legislatures for their ongoing support, it said, adding that Taiwan’s representative offices in the US would continue to strengthen friendships with state legislatures and deepen cross-sector Taiwan-US cooperation at the local level.
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