Enrolled SJR 8: Relating to strengthening international relations with Taiwan.
00Enrolled SJR 8 01 Relating to strengthening international relations with Taiwan. 02 _______________ 03 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 04 WHEREAS the United States and Taiwan have long enjoyed strong bilateral relations 05 encompassing trade, education, cultural exchanges, and tourism; and 06 WHEREAS Taiwan shares with the United States the core values of freedom, 07 democracy, human rights, the rule of law, peace, and prosperity; and 08 WHEREAS the United States is the second largest trading partner of Taiwan, and 09 Taiwan is the seventh largest trading partner of the United States, with trade totaling 10 $128,000,000,000 in 2023; and 11 WHEREAS the United States is ranked as the 10th largest provider of high-quality 12 seafood to Taiwan, and the state's fishing industry is eager to strengthen trade relations with 13 Taiwan; and 14 WHEREAS the strong trade and investment partnership between the United States 15 and Taiwan serves as a foundation for advancing a mutually beneficial trade agreement that 16 fosters job creation, expands access to global markets, and strengthens international supply
01 chains; and 02 WHEREAS the state and Taiwan have maintained a sister-state relationship since 03 1988; and 04 WHEREAS the state and Taiwan enjoy close economic ties, with Taiwan being the 05 state's eighth largest export market in 2023 and the fourth largest market for the state in Asia; 06 and 07 WHEREAS mutually beneficial cultural exchanges and international cooperation 08 have been facilitated by the sister-city partnership between Fairbanks and Tainan City since 09 1983, the sister-city partnership between Juneau and Chiayi City since 1988, and the partner 10 city agreement between Anchorage and Taipei City since 1997; and 11 WHEREAS the establishment of an Alaska Trade Office in Taiwan would further 12 boost the volume of trade and export growth to Taiwan and other Asian markets, strengthen 13 the state's sister-state relationship with Taiwan, and increase collaboration in education, 14 technology, and cultural exchanges between the state and Taiwan; and 15 WHEREAS the Taiwan Relations Act has fostered a close relationship between the 16 United States and Taiwan that has advanced the security and commercial interests of both 17 countries; and 18 WHEREAS the United States has actively supported Taiwan's participation in 19 international organizations, including the World Health Organization, the International Civil 20 Aviation Organization, and the International Criminal Police Organization and continues to 21 advocate for Taiwan's meaningful inclusion in these and other global institutions; and 22 WHEREAS Taiwan is a responsible and contributing member of the international 23 community that has provided significant assistance in response to natural disasters worldwide; 24 BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature reaffirms the state's 25 commitment to strengthening and deepening its relationship with Taiwan; and be it 26 FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature supports the resumption 27 of an Alaska Trade Office in Taiwan; and be it 28 FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature supports expanding 29 educational exchanges between the state and Taiwan; and be it 30 FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature advocates for Taiwan's 31 meaningful participation in international organizations that address global trade and promote
01 the health, safety, and well-being of its 23,000,000 citizens; and be it 02 FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature endorses a closer 03 economic and trade partnership between the United States and Taiwan, including the signing 04 of a trade agreement and tax agreement to promote mutual trade and investment. 05 COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Mike Dunleavy, Governor 06 of Alaska; Daniel Kuo-ching Chen, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural 07 Office in Seattle; and the Honorable Lisa Murkowski and the Honorable Dan Sullivan, U.S. 08 Senators, and the Honorable Nicholas Begich, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska 09 delegation in Congress.