23 LC 112 1345 S. R. 176 - 1 - Senate Resolution 176 By: Senators Brass of the 28th, Rhett of the 33rd, Robertson of the 29th, Gooch of the 51st, Rahman of the 5th and others ADOPTED SENATE 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 billion4 in 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 1345 S. R. 176 - 2 - WHEREAS, Georgia welcomes all opportunities for an even closer partnership on business, 17 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, in 2022, the United States and Taiwan have experienced strengthening in21 bilateral relations, including the launch of the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade,22 which facilitates a roadmap for negotiations on an economic and trade agreement with23 high-standard commitments, as well as the visiting of numerous elected high-ranking24 officials; and25 WHEREAS, the United States will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)26 in 2023. Being a formal member of the APEC, Taiwan keeps making great contributions and27 is an indispensable key partner to the welfare of the people in Asia-Pacific region.28 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body29 support the establishment of a trade office in Taiwan as South Carolina, New Mexico,30 Montana, and Pennsylvania have recently done in order to attract more investments;31 encourage officials and members of legislature to conduct more frequent exchanges with32 their Taiwanese counterparts; and urge for the signing of an education cooperation MOU33 with Taiwan aimed at promoting Mandarin-English language, teachers, and students34 exchange.35 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body further support the US-Taiwan36 Initiative on 21st-Century Trade and the negotiations on a Bilateral Trade Agreement as37 Taiwanese companies are looking for diverse and free markets in the United States as well38 23 LC 112 1345 S. R. 176 - 3 - as Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations and mechanisms such as 39 WHO, UNFCCC, ICAO, INTERPOL, and IPEF.40 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed41 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to Governor Brian42 Kemp, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia Congressional Delegation, and43 Mr. Elliot Wang, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta.44