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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 162
BY REPRESENTATIVES ARNOLD, HARRIS, HENRY, AND JAY MORRIS
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS: Recognizes the friendship between Taiwan and La. and
encourages a free trade agreement between Taiwan and the U.S.
A RESOLUTION1
To recognize the friendship between Taiwan and the state of Louisiana, to commemorate the2
anniversaries of the sister-state relationship between Taiwan and Louisiana and3
sister-city relationship between Taichung and Baton Rouge, to express support for4
Taiwan's participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization and United5
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, for the East China Sea Peace6
Initiative, and for the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement, to encourage a closer7
economic relationship between Taiwan and the United States through a free trade8
agreement, a bilateral investment agreement, and Taiwan's participation in the Trans-9
Pacific Partnership, and to commend Steve Hsia, Director General of the Taipei10
Economic and Cultural Office in Houston, for his efforts to promote continued11
cooperation between Taiwan and the state of Louisiana.12
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana has long enjoyed a cordial relationship with13
Taiwan; and 14
WHEREAS, the United States and Taiwan engage in robust bilateral trade, and15
Taiwan is the world's twenty-third largest economy, seventeenth largest export economy,16
sixteenth largest import economy, fourth largest holder of foreign exchange reserves,17
eleventh largest United States trading partner, sixteenth largest United States export market,18
and largest per capita importer of United States agricultural products; and19
WHEREAS, Taiwan is one of Louisiana's most important export markets with more20
than six hundred million dollars in products imported by Taiwan in 2012; and21 HLS 13RS-1909 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, 2013 marks the twenty-eighth anniversary of the sister-state relationship1
between Taiwan and Louisiana and thirty-third anniversary of the sister-city relationship2
between the city of Taichung and the city of Baton Rouge; and3
WHEREAS, given the important role Taiwan plays in commercial aviation and the4
global economy, it is vital that Taiwan participate as an observer in the International Civil5
Aviation Organization (ICAO) and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate6
Change (UNFCCC); meaningful participation by Taiwan as an observer in the ICAO would7
enhance efforts to improve safety and procedures and develop a global strategy to address8
aviation security threats, and as an observer in the UNFCCC, Taiwan would contribute9
greatly to global efforts aimed at reducing and preventing natural disasters; and10
WHEREAS, in light of the latest controversies in the East China Sea and the11
Diaoyutai islands, it is necessary to call on all parties concerned to resolve disputes12
peacefully; in order to seek out a path to coexistence and mutual prosperity, the government13
of the Republic of China proposes the East China Sea Peace Initiative in an effort to make14
the East China Sea a place of peace and cooperation; in furtherance of this effort, in April15
of 2013, Taiwan and Japan negotiated the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement; and16
WHEREAS, Taiwan is a member of the World Trade Organization, and a free trade17
agreement between Taiwan and the United States would substantially reduce or eliminate18
most import quotas, duties, and other trade barriers, expanding market opportunities for19
manufactured goods and agricultural products from Louisiana and the United States; a20
bilateral investment agreement between Taiwan and the United States and Taiwan's21
participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership would also help Taiwan and the United States22
foster a closer economic relationship; and23
WHEREAS, Steve Hsia assumed his current post of Director General of the Taipei24
Economic and Cultural Office in Houston in March of 2013 and merits commendation for25
his efforts on behalf of furthering economic and educational opportunities between Taiwan26
and Louisiana.27
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the28
Legislature of Louisiana hereby recognizes the abiding friendship between Taiwan and the29
state of Louisiana and commemorates the twenty-e ighth anniversary of the sister-state30 HLS 13RS-1909 ORIGINAL
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relationship between Taiwan and Louisiana and thirty-third anniversary of the sister-city1
relationship between the city of Taichung and the city of Baton Rouge.2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana House of Representatives hereby3
expresses support for Taiwan's participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization4
and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, for the East China Sea5
Peace Initiative, and for the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement.6
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana House of Representatives hereby7
encourages closer economic relationships between Taiwan and the United States through the8
negotiation of a free trade agreement and bilateral investment agreement between Taiwan9
and the United States and through Taiwan's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.10
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana House of Representatives hereby11
commends Steve Hsia, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in12
Houston, for his efforts toward promoting continued cooperation between Taiwan and13
Louisiana.14
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted15
to Steve Hsia, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston. 16
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Arnold HR No. 162
Recognizes the friendship between Taiwan and La. and commemorates the 28th anniversary
of the sister-state relationship between Taiwan and La. and 33rd anniversary of the sister-city
relationship between Taichung and Baton Rouge.
Expresses support for Taiwan's participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization
and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, for the East China Sea
Peace Initiative, and for the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement.
Encourages a closer economic relationship between Taiwan and the U.S. through the
negotiation of a free trade agreement and bilateral investment agreement between Taiwan
and the U.S. and through Taiwan's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Commends Steve Hsia, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in
Houston, for his efforts toward promoting continued cooperation between Taiwan and La.