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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 42
BY SENATOR CROWE
COMMENDATIONS. Commends the Republic of China, known as Taiwan, for economic
relations with Louisiana.
A RESOLUTION1
To commend the Republic of China, known as Taiwan, for positive economic relations with2
the state of Louisiana, to call for closer economic relations between Taiwan and the3
United States, to support Taiwan's participation in the International Civil Aviation4
Organization and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to5
encourage peaceful resolution of ongoing disputes in the East China Sea, and to6
welcome Director General Steve Hsia for his continued efforts and contributions to7
advance economic and cultural exchange between Taiwan and Louisiana.8
WHEREAS, Taiwan is the world's twenty-seventh largest economy, eleventh most9
competitive economy worldwide, seventeenth largest export economy, eighteenth largest10
import economy, fourth largest holder of foreign exchange reserves, eleventh largest United11
States trading partner, sixteenth largest United States export market, and largest per capita12
importer of United States agricultural products, all of which have contributed to a robust bi-13
lateral trade with the United States of America; and14
WHEREAS, Taiwan is one of Louisiana's most important export markets with more15
than six hundred twenty million dollars in products imported by Taiwan in 2012; and16
WHEREAS, Governor Bobby Jindal made his first visit to Taiwan in January 201417
to meet President Ma Ying-Jeou and to hold meetings with executives from the Formosa18 SR NO. 42
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Plastics Group, the CPC Corporation, and others in order to promote trade successfully and1
encourage investment between Taiwan and Louisiana; and2
WHEREAS, with the approval of the United States Department of Energy granted3
in February 2014, Taiwan will begin a long-term plan to import shale gas from Louisiana,4
which is to begin in 2017 and is expected to be a multi-billion dollar business opportunity;5
and6
WHEREAS, Taiwan is a member of the World Trade Organization and the Asia-7
Pacific Economic Cooperation and maintains a bilateral free trade agreement between8
Taiwan and the United States, and a regional free trade agreement to include Taiwan would9
substantially reduce or eliminate most import quotas, duties, and other trade barriers,10
expanding market opportunities for Louisiana and the entire United States; and11
WHEREAS, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) represents a high standard,12
ambitious, comprehensive, and forward-looking pathway for achieving an eventual Free13
Trade Area of Asia-Pacific; and14
WHEREAS, Taiwan's inclusion in the TPP would lead to an overall gain of over15
seventy-seven billion dollars in social welfare for the United States and all other members;16
and17
WHEREAS, given the important role that Taiwan plays in commercial aviation and18
the global economy, it is vital that Taiwan participates as an observer in the International19
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on20
Climate Change (UNFCCC) meaningful participation by Taiwan as an observer in the ICAO21
will enhance efforts to improve safety and procedures and develop a global strategy to22
address aviation security threats, and as an observer in the UNFCCC, Taiwan would23
contribute greatly to global efforts aimed at reducing and preventing natural disasters; and24
WHEREAS, in light of the controversies in the East China Sea and the Diaoyutai25
Islands, it is necessary to urge all parties concerned to resolve disputes peacefully; in order26
to seek out a path to coexistence and mutual prosperity, the government of the Republic of27
China proposes the East China Sea Peace Initiative in an effort to make the East China Sea28
a place of peace and cooperation; and29
WHEREAS, Steve Hsia, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural30 SR NO. 42
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Office in Houston, Texas, and his office have further advanced economic and educational1
cooperation between Taiwan and Louisiana; and2
WHEREAS, the year 2014 marks the twenty-ninth anniversary of the sister-state3
relationship between Taiwan and Louisiana, as well as the thirty-fourth anniversary of the4
sister-city relationship between the city of Taichung and the city of Baton Rouge.5
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana6
hereby commends the Republic of China, known as Taiwan, for positive development7
between Taiwan and Louisiana and the twenty-ninth anniversary of the sister-state8
relationship between Taiwan and Louisiana and the thirty-fourth anniversary of the9
sister-city relationship between the city of Taichung and the city of Baton Rouge.10
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana11
hereby encourages closer economic relationships between Taiwan and the United States12
through negotiation of a free trade agreement and bilateral investment agreement between13
Taiwan and the United States and through Taiwan's membership in the Trans-Pacific14
Partnership.15
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana16
hereby expresses support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in the International Civil17
Aviation Organization and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and18
for the East China Sea Peace Initiative and the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement, both of19
which contribute to regional peace and economic cooperation.20
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana21
hereby commends Steve Hsia, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office22
in Houston, for his efforts and contributions for enhancing cooperation between Taiwan and23
Louisiana.24
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Steve25
Hsia, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston, Texas.26 SR NO. 42
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Mary Dozier O'Brien.
DIGEST
Crowe SR No. 42
Commends the Republic of China, known as Taiwan, for positive economic relations with
Louisiana, urges for closer economic relations between Taiwan and the U.S., supports
Taiwan's participation in certain international organizations, and welcomes Director General
Steve Hsia and commends his efforts and contributions to advancing this mutually beneficial
trading partnership.