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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 28
BY REPRESENTATIVE ARNOLD
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS: Commends the Republic of China (Taiwan) for economic
relations with the state of Louisiana
A RESOLUTION1
To commend the Republic of China (Taiwan) for positive economic relations with the state2
of Louisiana, to call for closer economic relations between Taiwan and the United3
States, to support Taiwan's participation in the International Civil Aviation4
Organization (ICAO) and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate5
Change (UNFCCC), to encourage peaceful resolution of ongoing disputes in the East6
China Sea, and to welcome Director General Steve Hsia for his continued efforts and7
contributions to advance economic and cultural exchange between Taiwan and the8
state of Louisiana.9
WHEREAS, the United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) engage in robust10
bilateral trade, and Taiwan is the world's twenty-seventh largest economy, eleventh most11
competitive economy worldwide, seventeenth largest export economy, eighteenth largest12
import economy, fourth largest holder of foreign exchange reserves, eleventh largest United13
States trading partner, sixteenth largest United States export market, and largest per capita14
importer of United States agricultural products; and15
WHEREAS, Taiwan is one of Louisiana's most important export markets with more16
than six hundred twenty million dollars in products imported by Taiwan in 2012; and17
WHEREAS, Governor Bobby Jindal made his first visit to Taiwan in January of this18
year to meet President Ma Ying-Jeou and to hold meetings with executives from the19
Formosa Plastics Group, the CPC Corporation, and others in order to successfully promote20
trade and encourage investment between Taiwan and the state of Louisiana; and21 HLS 14RS-1603 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, with the approval of the United States Department of Energy in1
February of this year, Taiwan will begin a long-term plan to import shale gas from2
Louisiana, which is to begin in 2017 and is estimated to be a multi-billion dollar business3
opportunity; and4
WHEREAS, Taiwan is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asia5
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and a bilateral free trade agreement between Tawain6
and the United States, and a regional free trade agreement to include Taiwan would7
substantially reduce or eliminate most import quotas, duties, and other trade barriers,8
expanding market opportunities for Louisiana and the entire United States; and9
WHEREAS, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) represents a high standard,10
ambitious, comprehensive, and forward-looking pathway for achieving an eventual Free11
Trade Area of Asia-Pacific; and12
WHEREAS, Taiwan's inclusion in the TPP would lead to an overall gain of over13
seventy-seven billion dollars in social welfare for the United States and all other members;14
and15
WHEREAS, given the important role that Taiwan plays in commercial aviation and16
the global economy, it is vital that Taiwan participates as an observer in the ICAO and17
UNFCCC; meaningful participation by Taiwan as an observer in the ICAO will enhance18
efforts to improve safety and procedures and develop a global strategy to address aviation19
security threats, and as an observer in the UNFCCC, Taiwan would greatly contribute to20
global efforts aimed at reducing and preventing natural disasters; and21
WHEREAS, in light of the controversies in the East China Sea and the Diaoyutai22
islands, it is necessary to call on all parties concerned to resolve disputes peacefully; in order23
to seek out a path to coexistence and mutual prosperity, the government of the Republic of24
China proposes the East China Sea Peace Initiative in an effort to make the East China Sea25
a place of peace and cooperation; and26
WHEREAS, Steve Hsia, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural27
Office in Houston, and his office have further advanced economic and educational28
cooperation between Taiwan and Louisiana; and29
WHEREAS, the year 2014 marks the twenty-ninth anniversary of the sister-state30 HLS 14RS-1603 ORIGINAL
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relationship between Taiwan and Louisiana, as well as the thirty-fourth anniversary of the1
sister-city relationship between the city of Taichung and the city of Baton Rouge.2
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the3
Legislature of Louisiana hereby commends the Republic of China (Taiwan) for positive4
development between Taiwan and the state of Louisiana and the twenty-ninth anniversary5
of the sister-state relationship between Taiwan and Louisiana and the thirty-fourth6
anniversary of the sister-city relationship between the city of Taichung and the city of Baton7
Rouge.8
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana House of Representatives hereby9
encourages closer economic relationships between Taiwan and the United States through10
negotiation of a free trade agreement and bilateral investment agreement between Taiwan11
and the United States and through Taiwan's membership in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.12
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana House of Representatives hereby13
expresses support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in the International Civil Aviation14
Organization and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and for the15
East China Sea Peace Initiative and the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement, both of which16
contribute to regional peace and economic cooperation.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana House of Representatives hereby18
commends Steve Hsia, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in19
Houston, for his efforts and contributions for enhancing cooperation between Taiwan and20
Louisiana.21
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Steve22
Hsia, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston.23
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. 28
Commends the relationship between Taiwan and La. and commemorates the 29th
anniversary of the sister-state relationship between Taiwan and La. and 34th anniversary of
the sister-city relationship between Taichung and Baton Rouge. HLS 14RS-1603 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 28
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Commends Steve Hsia, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in
Houston, for his efforts and contributions in promoting continued cooperation between
Taiwan and La.
Expresses support for Taiwan's participation in the ICAO and UNFCCC, and for the East
China Sea Peace Initiative.
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.