23 LC 112 1210
S. R. 112
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Senate Resolution 112
By: Senators Brass of the 28th, Rhett of the 33rd, Robertson of the 29th, Rahman of the 5th,
Dolezal of the 27th and others
A RESOLUTION
Commending Taiwan for its relations with the United States and the State of Georgia; and
1
for other purposes.2
WHEREAS, Taiwan is the United States' eighth-largest trading partner, and the United States3
is Taiwan's second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade amounting to $105 billion in4
2021; Georgia's export to Taiwan in 2021 increased 0.3 percent more than that of 2020 and5
import from Taiwan in 2021 increased 17.2 percent more than that of 2020, making Taiwan6
the 16th export market and the 12th import country of Georgia; and7
WHEREAS, the World Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce (WTCC) held the organization's8
28th Annual Conference in Atlanta in March 2022 with over 300 Taiwanese business leaders9
around the world, which further strengthened the economic ties between Georgia and10
Taiwan; and11
WHEREAS, the first "Taiwan Pavilion" was hosted by the Taipei Economic and Cultural12
office (TECO) in Atlanta at the Southern Automotive Conference (SAC) in October 2022,13
joined by eight leading Taiwanese companies related to electric vehicles that successfully14
facilitated a contract of the Peachtree Corners Curiosity Lab with a Taiwan EV charger15
solution provider; and16 23 LC 112 1210
S. R. 112
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WHEREAS, Georgia welcomes all opportunities for an even closer partnership on business,
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educational, cultural, and people to people exchanges between citizens of the United States18
and Taiwan and for collaborating better together in the worldwide economic recovery efforts;19
and20
WHEREAS, Taiwan has been experiencing continuous threats from its authoritarian21
neighbor of China, which has encroached on Taiwan's security by launching multiple22
missiles and dispatching numerous aircraft and vessels to enter Taiwan's air defense23
identification zone (ADIZ) and cross the Taiwan Strait median line, disseminating24
disinformation and launching cyber-attacks, and repeatedly excluding Taiwan from the25
international system, as demonstrated through its denial of Taiwan's participation in the26
United Nations system meetings, mechanisms, conventions and activities; and27
WHEREAS, in 2022, the United States and Taiwan have experienced strengthening in28
bilateral relations, including the launch of the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade,29
which facilitates a roadmap for negotiations on an economic and trade agreement with30
high-standard commitments; the visiting of numerous elected high-ranking officials amid31
China's provocation; the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which32
facilitates a defense modernization program for Taiwan to deter China's aggression; and the33
signing of the Taiwan-US MOU on Development and Humanitarian Assistance Cooperation,34
which highlights that Taiwan is an significant stakeholder globally; and35
WHEREAS, the United States will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in36
2023. Being a formal member of the APEC, Taiwan keeps making great contributions and37
is an indispensable key partner to the welfare of the people in Asia-Pacific region.38 23 LC 112 1210
S. R. 112
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
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support the establishment of a trade office in Taiwan as South Carolina, New Mexico,40
Montana, and Pennsylvania have recently done in order to attract more investments;41
encourage officials and members of legislature to conduct more frequent exchanges with42
their Taiwanese counterparts; and urge for the signing of an education cooperation MOU43
with Taiwan aimed at promoting Mandarin-English language, teachers, and students44
exchange.45
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body further support the US-Taiwan46
Initiative on 21st-Century Trade and the negotiations on a Bilateral Trade Agreement as47
Taiwanese companies are looking for diverse and free markets in the United States instead48
of China, as well as Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations and49
mechanisms such as WHO, UNFCCC, ICAO, INTERPOL, and IPEF.50
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed51
to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to Governor Brian52
Kemp, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia Congressional Delegation, and53
Mr. Elliot Wang, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta.54