Bill Text: NJ SR98 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Commemorates 45th anniversary of enactment of Taiwan Relations Act and 35th anniversary of New Jersey-Taiwan sister state relationship.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-10-28 - Filed with Secretary of State [SR98 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-SR98-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator GORDON M. JOHNSON
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Commemorates 45th anniversary of enactment of Taiwan Relations Act and 35th anniversary of New Jersey-Taiwan sister state relationship.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution commemorating the 45th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act and the 35th anniversary of the New Jersey-Taiwan sister state relationship.
Whereas, The United States and Taiwan are bonded by a shared commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and a free market economy; and
Whereas, On April 10, 1979, the U.S. Congress passed the landmark Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) to sustain a close bilateral relationship and advance mutual security and commercial interests between the United States and Taiwan; and
Whereas, The TRA has served as the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan relations, preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, which is crucial to the maintenance of a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region and has been recently highlighted in global summits such as the G7, NATO, and East Asian Summit; and
Whereas, In 2023, a total of $127.5 billion in bilateral trade occurred between the United States and Taiwan, making Taiwan the 7th largest trading partner of the United States, demonstrating the strong economic relationship, and the importance of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA); and
Whereas, The U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade was signed on June 1, 2023 to deepen and enhance the existing trade partnership and current trade flows as a means to promote innovation and inclusive economic growth for workers, as well as businesses; and
Whereas, The United States has assisted Taiwan in furthering their global participation through international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Criminal Police Organization, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and will continue to do so; and
Whereas, In 1989, New Jersey and Taiwan entered a sister-state relationship and have enjoyed a close and prosperous affiliation as a result; and
Whereas, In 2021, Newark, New Jersey established a sister-city agreement with Taoyuan City, Taiwan, demonstrating a continued interest in expanding the mutually beneficial cooperation and relationship; and
Whereas, In 2023, New Jersey exported approximately $723 million worth of products to Taiwan, making Taiwan the State's 5th largest export market in Asia; and
Whereas, In October 2023, Governor Murphy and the New Jersey delegation announced plans to open Choose New Jersey's New Jersey Asia Pacific Center in Taiwan, emphasizing the unique innovation ecosystems in which key industries thrive in both regions, and formalizing the partnership as an ideal match for economic growth; and
Whereas, In October 2023, Governor Murphy also witnessed several Memorandums of Understanding between Taiwan and multiple State executive agencies, such as the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the New Jersey Board of Education, and the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, to establish powerful economic trade partnerships and bilateral educational infrastructure; and
Whereas, Over 200 Taiwanese companies have invested in New Jersey as of March 2024, leading to the creation of new jobs in the State; and
Whereas, The New Jersey State Senate congratulates President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-kihm on their victory in Taiwan's presidential election and the Taiwan people for demonstrating the strength of their democratic system and electoral process; and
Whereas, Taiwan has served as an important international partner for the United States, as well as New Jersey, by the means of trade, innovative business opportunities, and cultural and educational empowerment for over 35 years; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House commemorates the 45th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act and the 35th anniversary of the New Jersey-Taiwan sister state relationship. This House supports a closer economic, educational, and scientific partnership between the United States, the State of New Jersey, and Taiwan.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Director of the American Institute in Taiwan, and the Ambassador of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in New York City.
3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution commemorates the 45th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act and the 35th anniversary of the New Jersey-Taiwan sister state relationship.
The Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) was passed by the United States. Congress on April 10, 1979 to sustain a close bilateral relationship and advance mutual security and commercial interests between the United States and Taiwan. Since its enactment, the TRA has served as the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan relations, preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, a part of the South China Sea that separates the island of Taiwan from the Asian continent. The Taiwan Strait is crucial to the maintenance of a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region. Its importance has been recently highlighted in global summits such as the G7, NATO and East Asian Summit.
The TRA has served as the foundation for the mutually beneficial partnership between Taiwan and the United States. In 2023, a total of $127.5 billion in bilateral trade occurred between the United States and Taiwan, making Taiwan the 8th largest trading partner of the United States. In June 2023, the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade was signed to enhance the existing trade partnership as a means to promote innovation and inclusive economic growth for workers, as well as businesses. The United States has also assisted Taiwan in furthering their global participation through international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
In 1989, New Jersey and Taiwan entered a sister-state relationship, which remains a continuous and prosperous affiliation today. In 2021, the relationship was expanded by a sister-city agreement between Newark, New Jersey and Taoyuan City, Taiwan. In 2023, New Jersey exported approximately $723 million worth of products to Taiwan, making Taiwan the State's 5th largest export market in Asia. In October 2023, Governor Murphy announced plans to open Choose New Jersey's New Jersey Asian-Pacific Center in Taiwan and witnessed numerous Memorandums of Understanding between State executive agencies and Taiwan to establish powerful economic trade partnerships and bilateral educational infrastructure. As of March 2024, over 200 Taiwanese companies have invested in New Jersey leading to the creation of new jobs in the State.
