A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, Strengthening the sister-state ties between the State of South Dakota and Taiwan; supporting the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between Taiwan and the United States; and reaffirming support for increasing Taiwan’s international participation.

WHEREAS, the State of South Dakota and Taiwan entered into a sister-state relationship in 1984; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan shares the same values of freedom, democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights with South Dakota; and

WHEREAS, on January 11, 2020, Taiwan held its seventh direct presidential election, demonstrating the strength and vitality of its democratic system and expressing that Taiwan is a beacon of democracy in Asia; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan sent an Agricultural Trade Goodwill Mission to South Dakota in September 2019 to purchase wheat and the total value of this trip to the United States was $576 million, which has further promoted the bilateral trade relationship between South Dakota and Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, South Dakota and Taiwan have enjoyed a mutually beneficial bilateral trade relationship and anticipate continuing growth, with Taiwan ranking as South Dakota’s seventh largest import country in 2018; and

WHEREAS, negotiations for a fair and reciprocal Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between Taiwan and the United States are an important step toward further strengthening bilateral trade, thereby increasing South Dakota’s exports to Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan, as a responsible stakeholder in the international community, is seeking to meaningfully participate in the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO):

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-Fifth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the Senate concurring therein, that South Dakota praises Taiwan’s vibrant democracy as well as celebrates the thirty-sixth anniversary of sister-state relations with Taiwan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that South Dakota supports the signing for a Bilateral Trade Agreement with Taiwan and welcomes even closer bilateral trade and investment ties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that South Dakota supports Taiwan’s appropriate participation in international organizations which are significant to the health, safety, and well-being of its people.

Adopted by the House of Representatives, February 19, 2020

Concurred in by the Senate, February 21, 2020

_____________________ _____________________ Steven G. Haugaard Mary Lou Goehring Speaker of the House Chief Clerk

_____________________ _____________________ Larry Rhoden Kay Johnson President of the Senate Secretary of the Senate