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Senate Resolution 148
By: Senators Rhett of the 33rd, Brass of the 6th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Esteves of the 35th,
James of the 28th and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commending Taiwan for its relations with the United States and the State
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of Georgia; and for other purposes.2
WHEREAS, Taiwan and the United States of America are long-standing allies who both3
deeply cherish the common values of democracy, peace, and prosperity; and 4
WHEREAS, Taiwan continues to pursue integrated diplomacy and serve the best interests5
of the Indo-Pacific region by deepening ties with other like-minded nations, safeguarding6
regional security, and utilizing Taiwan's technological and economic success to promote7
partnerships on mutual benefits; and8
WHEREAS, China repeatedly exerts economic coercion, stages military drills directed9
toward Taiwan, and distorts United Nations Resolution 2758 (XXVI) excluding Taiwan's10
participation from international organizations, which results in global challenges to11
rules-based international order and aggressive authoritarian expansionism; and12
WHEREAS, Taiwan is the United States' eighth-largest trading partner, and the United States13
is Taiwan's second-largest trading partner, with an estimated $128 billion worth of trade;14
Taiwan was Georgia's 15th largest import and 17th largest export market in 2023; and15
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WHEREAS, the United States and Taiwan's first agreement entered into force under the
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"US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade," which includes commitments on17
anti-corruption, good regulatory practices, customs administration and trade facilitation, and18
small- and medium-sized enterprises; and19
WHEREAS, the Taiwanese government donated $200,000 for Hurricane Helene relief to20
Georgia, and Taiwan's National Day was joyously celebrated at the Georgia Aquarium last21
October with more than 250 distinguished guests, including government officials,22
entrepreneurs, and leaders from the Taiwanese community; this event emphasized the23
celebration of the Taiwan Relations Act's 45th anniversary as well as symbolized the strong24
connection between Taiwan and Georgia.25
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body26
support constant talks under the "US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade" and a27
"US-Taiwan Avoid Double Taxation Agreement," as Taiwanese companies are looking for28
a diverse and free market investment in the United States, as well as encourage the State of29
Georgia to establish a trade office in Taiwan as 23 other states and Guam have done;30
organize a trade delegation to Taiwan to attract more investments; and encourage city31
governments to participate in the annual "Smart City" forum in Taiwan.32
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that with the celebration of Taiwan's democracy and the33
reaffirmation of the United States' commitment to Taiwan, the members of this body support34
the Taiwan Caucus as a means to explore more collaborative opportunities with Taiwan as35
well as support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations and36
economic cooperations such as WHO, UNFCCC, ICAO, INTERPOL, CPTPP, and IPEF.37
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body support the signing of an
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education cooperation MOU with Taiwan to facilitate more exchanges of scholars, teachers,39
and students as well as the use of the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language as a Chinese40
proficiency assessment tool for the Georgia State Seal of Biliteracy and encourage Georgians41
to take part in Taiwanese American Heritage Week in May and other activities and42
experiences that promote Taiwan's cultures, tourism, and delicacies such as Boba tea.43
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed44
to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to Governor Brian45
Kemp, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia Congressional Delegation, and46
Mr. Elliot Wang, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta.47
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