SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 19

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Michael S. Sanchez and Sharon Clahchischilliage

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO SUPPORT THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA'S (TAIWAN'S) MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, A UNITED STATES-TAIWAN BILATERAL INVESTMENT AGREEMENT AND TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN THE TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP AND THE GOVERNOR TO LEAD A BUSINESS AND TRADE DELEGATION TO TAIWAN.

     WHEREAS, the Republic of China (Taiwan) became Asia's first republic in 1911 and, over the past two decades, has been praised as a beacon of democracy for Asia, having made great strides toward entering the world arena as a trusted partner; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan is not currently permitted to join many international organizations, which prevents the country from making significant contributions in such areas as economics, aviation, health and climate; and

     WHEREAS, a delegation from Taiwan was invited to participate in the thirty-eighth international civil aviation organization assembly, which was the first time since Taiwan was excluded from assembly meetings in 1971, as guests of the council president; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan's absence from international organizations dealing with airline safety and security has left a gap in the international aviation security system, as Taiwan is a key transport hub in the Asia-Pacific region and has one of the world's largest airports by cargo volume, Taoyuan international airport; and

     WHEREAS, meaningful participation by the government of Taiwan as an observer in the international civil aviation organization meetings and activities contributes both to the fulfillment of that organization's overarching mission and to the success of a global strategy to address aviation security threats based on effective international cooperation; and

     WHEREAS, although Taiwan has yet to be permitted participation as an observer in the United Nations framework convention on climate change process, it still aspires to be a part of global efforts to protect the environment for future generations; and

     WHEREAS, since May 2009, Taiwan's department of health has been invited for six consecutive years to attend the world health assembly as an observer under the designation "Chinese Taipei"; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan, which stands as the United States' eleventh-largest trading partner, and the United States, which stands as Taiwan's third-largest trading partner, have engaged in high-level ministerial discussions under the trade and investment framework agreement in order to move toward a bilateral investment agreement; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan actively seeks meaningful ways to improve trade relations with other nations, especially the United States, by preparing for induction into the Trans-Pacific partnership in order to create greater multilateral interaction in the Asia-Pacific region; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan signed the 2010 Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement and the 2013 Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement on Trade in Services with mainland China, making Taiwan the most viable gateway for American enterprises aimed at the Asia-Pacific market as well as an established business hub for foreign enterprises; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan hopes that trade relations with the United States will ultimately lead to a free trade agreement, which would usher in an unprecedented level of commercial prosperity and transparency between the two nations; and

     WHEREAS, a United States-Taiwan bilateral investment agreement or free trade agreement will strengthen economic growth for both nations, as well as provide a gateway into Taiwan and mainland China for American foreign direct investment; and

     WHEREAS, as of 2014, Taiwan ranked first in foreign direct investment to mainland China, third to Vietnam and Thailand and fourth to Malaysia; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan signed free trade agreements respectively with New Zealand and Singapore in 2013, and signed a bilateral investment agreement with Japan in 2011; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan seeks to contribute to peace, freedom and security in the world as a responsible stakeholder and peaceable nation of twenty-three million citizens through Taiwanese policies such as "viable diplomacy" in foreign affairs and its pragmatic approach to relations with mainland China; and

     WHEREAS, former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton publicly acknowledged Taiwan as an important economic and security partner of the United States at the 2011 Asia-Pacific economic cooperation conference; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan was designated as a participant in the United States visa waiver program in 2012, mutually benefiting bilateral economic and cultural exchanges between Taiwan and the United States; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has had a strong economic and cultural relationship with Taiwan since establishing sister-state relations in 1985 and sister-city relations between Albuquerque and Hualien city in 1983; and

     WHEREAS, over the last two years, two delegations from the New Mexico legislature have conducted official visits to Taiwan in recognition of Taiwan's democratic and economic achievements and to strengthen New Mexico's future cultural, business and trade exchanges with Taiwan;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the congress and the president of the United States be requested to support the efforts of Taiwan to be granted observer status by certain international organizations and agreements, including the international civil aviation organization, the United Nations framework convention on climate change and the world health organization; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the congress and the president of the United States be requested to support Taiwan's participation in the Trans-Pacific partnership and continuing trade and investment framework agreement talks discussing the signing of a bilateral investment agreement with the United States; and  

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor be encouraged to lead a delegation to visit Taiwan for the purpose of enhancing New Mexico's business and trade connections with Taiwan and the Asian-Pacific market and that the governor be encouraged to include business and industry leaders from throughout New Mexico in the delegation; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the president of the United States, the United States secretary of state, the members of New Mexico's congressional delegation, the United States trade representative, the governor and the secretary of economic development.

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