Senate Resolution No. 823
BY: Senator SEPULVEDA
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 28, 2025, as Taiwan Heritage Day in the State of
New York
WHEREAS, The United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) share
common values and a clear vision for the 21st century, where freedom and
democracy serve as the foundation for peace, prosperity, and progress;
and
WHEREAS, The U.S. Congress passed the landmark Taiwan Relations Act
(TRA) in 1979 to sustain a close bilateral relationship and advance
mutual security and commercial interests between the U.S. and Taiwan;
thereafter, the TRA and Six Assurances have served as the cornerstone of
U.S.-Taiwan relations and helped preserve peace and stability in the
Taiwan Strait; April 10, 2025, marks the 46th anniversary of the
enactment of the TRA; and
WHEREAS, Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is crucial to the
maintenance of a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific, and its importance
has been highlighted in the global summits such as the QUAD, U.S.-Japan,
U.S.-Korea, U.S.-EU, G7, NATO, and EAS summits; moreover, Taiwan is an
indispensable partner in safeguarding peace and stability in the region;
and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate/Assembly congratulates Taiwan's
President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim on the first
anniversary of their assumption of office; and
WHEREAS, The United States and Taiwan share a close and sustainable
economic relationship, including $158.60 billion in bilateral trade in
2024, making Taiwan the 7th largest trading partner of the United
States, and it is encouraged for the U.S. and Taiwan to further
strengthen their bilateral trade and investment relationship by signing
a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and resolving the double taxation
issue; and
WHEREAS, The United States-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
(IPEF) will help bolster the economic potential of the region by
defining shared trade objectives amongst partners and addressing
standards for technology, supply chains, the digital economy, and clean
energy; Taiwan supports this initiative and wishes to become a full
member of IPEF; and
WHEREAS, The first agreement under the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on
21st Century Trade went into force on December 10, 2024, which is
conducive to deepening the existing trade partnership and enhancing
U.S.-Taiwan trade flows to promote innovation and inclusive economic
growth for workers and businesses; and
WHEREAS, The United States-Taiwan Education Initiative was launched
in 2020 to strengthen cooperation on international education and
highlight Taiwan's ability to provide Mandarin language instruction; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan is a trustworthy partner in mitigating the impact of
natural disasters by providing disaster relief, humanitarian assistance,
and medical assistance; and
WHEREAS, The United States has assisted Taiwan in participating in
the World Health Organization (WHO), International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO), International Criminal Police Organization
(INTERPOL), and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC), and will continue to support Taiwan's meaningful participation
in these and other organizations; and
WHEREAS, During the period of October 2023 and October 2024, Taiwan
was the fastest growing foreign exports destination for the State of New
York; and
WHEREAS, Many of the United States' top 500 companies headquartered
in New York have invested in Taiwan, while more than 300 Taiwanese
companies have invested in the State of New York, contributing to a
mutually beneficial relationship; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan's semiconductor industry, as a global leader in chip
manufacturing and innovation, presents a valuable opportunity to support
New York State's efforts to establish its strong semiconductor industry
through collaboration, investment, and knowledge-sharing; and
WHEREAS, On October 1, 2024, the State of New York announced its
establishment of Global NY's international office in Taipei in order to
reinforce its commitment to empower New York's small businesses to
compete in Taiwan's market, fostering a growth in trade between Taiwan
and the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, On October 3, 2024, Commissioner Hope Knight of Empire
State Development, on behalf of Governor Kathy Hochul, attended the
National Day Reception of the Republic of China (Taiwan), highlighting a
long and vibrant relationship between New York and Taiwan and praising
that New York has the second-largest Taiwanese American population in
the United States; and
WHEREAS, On August 13, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul signed
Legislation S.4329-A /A.3935-A into law, allowing people to exchange
their valid overseas license for a New York driver's license if an
agreement is reached with their respective government; Taiwan has signed
mutual driver's license recognition pacts with 36 U.S. states since
2013; were Taiwan and the State of New York to enter into a driver's
license reciprocity agreement with each other, this would help increase
the mobility of international students, businessmen, and academics from
both sides; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York is home to a thriving overseas ethnic
Chinese community that supports the Republic of China (Taiwan),
including organizations such as the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent
Association, Taiwan Center, Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of New York,
and Chinese Chamber of Commerce of New York; these organizations devote
themselves to the harmony and development of the State of New York; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That this legislative body pauses in its deliberations to
proclaim May 28, 2025, as Taiwan Heritage Day in the State of New York;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be transmitted to The
Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York; His
Excellency Lai Ching-te, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan);
and Tom Chih-Chiang Lee, Ambassador of the Taipei Economic and Cultural
Office in New York.
