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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 162
BY REPRESENTATIVES ARNOLD, HARRIS, HENRY, AND JAY MORRIS
A RESOLUTION
To recognize the friendship between Taiwan and the state of Louisiana, to commemorate the
anniversaries of the sister-state relationship between Taiwan and Louisiana and
sister-city relationship between Taichung and Baton Rouge, to express 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, to encourage a closer
economic relationship between Taiwan and the United States through a free trade
agreement, a bilateral investment agreement, and Taiwan's participation in the Trans-
Pacific Partnership, and to commend Steve Hsia, Director General of the Taipei
Economic and Cultural Office in Houston, for his efforts to promote continued
cooperation between Taiwan and the state of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana has long enjoyed a cordial relationship with
Taiwan; and
WHEREAS, the United States and Taiwan engage in robust bilateral trade, and
Taiwan is the world's twenty-third largest economy, seventeenth largest export economy,
sixteenth largest import economy, fourth largest holder of foreign exchange reserves,
eleventh largest United States trading partner, sixteenth largest United States export market,
and largest per capita importer of United States agricultural products; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan is one of Louisiana's most important export markets with more
than six hundred million dollars in products imported by Taiwan in 2012; and
WHEREAS, 2013 marks the twenty-eighth anniversary of the sister-state relationship
between Taiwan and Louisiana and thirty-third anniversary of the sister-city relationship
between the city of Taichung and the city of Baton Rouge; and
WHEREAS, given the important role Taiwan plays in commercial aviation and the
global economy, it is vital that Taiwan participate as an observer in the International Civil ENROLLEDHR NO. 162
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Aviation Organization (ICAO) and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC); meaningful participation by Taiwan as an observer in the ICAO would
enhance efforts to improve safety and procedures and develop a global strategy to address
aviation security threats, and as an observer in the UNFCCC, Taiwan would contribute
greatly to global efforts aimed at reducing and preventing natural disasters; and
WHEREAS, in light of the latest controversies in the East China Sea and the
Diaoyutai islands, it is necessary to call on all parties concerned to resolve disputes
peacefully; in order to seek out a path to coexistence and mutual prosperity, the government
of the Republic of China proposes the East China Sea Peace Initiative in an effort to make
the East China Sea a place of peace and cooperation; in furtherance of this effort, in April
of 2013, Taiwan and Japan negotiated the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan is a member of the World Trade Organization, and a free trade
agreement between Taiwan and the United States would substantially reduce or eliminate
most import quotas, duties, and other trade barriers, expanding market opportunities for
manufactured goods and agricultural products from Louisiana and the United States; a
bilateral investment agreement between Taiwan and the United States and Taiwan's
participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership would also help Taiwan and the United States
foster a closer economic relationship; and
WHEREAS, Steve Hsia assumed his current post of Director General of the Taipei
Economic and Cultural Office in Houston in March of 2013 and merits commendation for
his efforts on behalf of furthering economic and educational opportunities between Taiwan
and Louisiana.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana hereby recognizes the abiding friendship between Taiwan and the
state of Louisiana and commemorates the twenty-eighth anniversary of the sister-state
relationship between Taiwan and Louisiana and thirty-third anniversary of the sister-city
relationship between the city of Taichung and the city of Baton Rouge.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana House of Representatives hereby
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. ENROLLEDHR NO. 162
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana House of Representatives hereby
encourages closer economic relationships between Taiwan and the United States through the
negotiation of a free trade agreement and bilateral investment agreement between Taiwan
and the United States and through Taiwan's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana House of Representatives hereby
commends Steve Hsia, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in
Houston, for his efforts toward promoting continued cooperation between Taiwan and
Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Steve Hsia, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES