SR662: SR662 Taiwan; recognize

26 LC 129 0708 Senate Resolution 662 By: Senators Rhett of the 33rd and James of the 28th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Taiwan for its relations with the United States and the state1 of Georgia; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Taiwan and the United States of America are long-stand ing allies who both3 deeply cherish the common values of democracy, peace, and prosperity; and 4 WHEREAS, Taiwan continues to pursue integrated diplomacy and serve the best interests5 of the Indo-Pacific region by deepening ties with other like-mi nded nations, safeguarding6 regional security, and utilizing Taiwan's technological and eco nomic success to promote7 partnerships on mutual benefits; and8 WHEREAS, the year 2026 marks both the 250th anniversary of United States Independence9 and the 30th anniversary of Taiwan's first direct presidential election– milestones that honor10 liberty and the principle that sovereignty resides in the peopl e; this shared celebration11 reaffirms Taiwan and the United States’ commitment to the rule of law, human rights, and12 a rules-based international order; and 13 S. R. 662 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0708 WHEREAS, through close cooperation, Taiwan and the United States strengthen democratic14 values and contribute to Indo-Pacific security, economic resili ence, and global peace and15 stability for future generations; and16 WHEREAS, the People's Republic of China has repeatedly engaged in economic coercion,17 conducted military exercises directed toward Taiwan, and misint erpreted United Nations18 General Assembly Resolution 2758 (XXVI) to obstruct Taiwan's co ntributions to the19 international community, thereby challenging the rules-based in ternational order and20 enabling aggressive authoritarian expansionism; and21 WHEREAS, Taiwan is the United States' seventh largest trading p artner, and the United22 States is Taiwan's second-largest, with bilateral trade-in-good s value estimated at $158.823 billion; and 24 WHEREAS, Taiwan was Georgia's 15th largest import and 17th larg est export market in25 2024; and 26 WHEREAS, the first agreement implemented under the United States-Taiwan Initiative on27 21st-Century Trade establishes commitments on anti-corruption measures, sound regulatory28 practices, customs administration and trade facilitation, and t he promotion of small and29 medium-sized enterprises.30 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body31 support constant talks under the “US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st- Century Trade” and a32 US-Taiwan double taxation avoidance mechanism, as Taiwanese companies are looking for33 a diverse and free market investment in the United States, as well as encourage the State of34 S. R. 662 - 2 - 26 LC 129 0708 Georgia to establish a trade office in Taiwan as 23 other state s and Guam have done;35 organize a trade delegation to Taiwan to attract more investments.36 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that with the celebration of Taiwan's de mocracy and the37 reaffirmation of the United States' commitment to Taiwan, the members of this body support38 the Taiwan Caucus as a means to explore more collaborative opportunities with Taiwan as39 well as support Taiwan's meaningful participation in internatio nal organizations and40 economic cooperations such as WHO, UNFCCC, ICAO, INTERPOL, CPTPP, and IPEF.41 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body encourage the state executives42 and officials to further engage with their counterparts in Taiw an, to explore, enhance and43 deepen substantive relationship in issues that concern the Stat e; support the signing of an44 education cooperation MOU with Taiwan to facilitate more exchanges of scholars, teachers,45 and students as well as encourage Georgians to use Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language46 (TOCFL) which was approved by Georgia Department of Education i n 2025 as a Chinese47 proficiency assessment tool for the Georgia State Seal of Biliteracy; take part in Taiwanese48 American Heritage Week in May and other activities and experiences that promote Taiwan's49 cultures, tourism, and delicacies.50 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed51 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for dis tribution to Governor Brian52 Kemp, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia Congre ssional Delegation, and53 Mr. Jared Lin, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta.54 S. R. 662 - 3 -