Senator Meekhof offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 152.

            A resolution congratulating the Republic of China (Taiwan) on its twentieth anniversary of participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and Taiwan’s successful 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections; and expressing continued support of Michigan’s cordial relations with Taiwan and for increasing Taiwan’s international space as part of the global community.

            Whereas, The Republic of China (Taiwan) in 2012 is celebrating 20 years of Taiwan’s participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and its active role in promoting economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in the areas of broadening opportunities for digital computing, green technologies, and renewable energy; improving crisis management for small-size and medium-size enterprises; and establishing a research center for typhoons and society; and

            Whereas, The Republic of China (ROC), which exists today on Taiwan, is a major trading nation with the world’s 18th-largest economy as of 2011. In the last two decades, ROC (Taiwan) has dramatically improved its record on human rights and taken great steps forward to enter the world arena as a trusted partner; and

            Whereas, Taiwan continues to be praised as a beacon of democracy for Asia, having successfully completed its parliamentary elections and its fifth direct, popular presidential election on January 14, 2012, with fairness, accountability, and high voter turnout. Taiwan is preparing for the inauguration of Ma Ying-jeou to a second term as the ROC President on May 20, 2012; and

            Whereas, Taiwan has a strong economic and historical relationship with the United States and has a vibrant economy, ranking in 2011 as our nation's 9th-largest trading partner, with U.S.-Taiwan trade worth a total of US$62.12 billion, and America's 13th-largest export market worldwide. Moreover, this robust trade and our shared values of freedom and democracy greatly benefit both sides; and

            Whereas, Taiwan’s economic, cultural, and educational ties with Michigan run deep, and there are greater opportunities for exports of Michigan-grown agricultural goods to Taiwan, the world’s 6th-largest market for U.S. agricultural products. There are also opportunities for further economic cooperation and technical exchanges in emerging sectors, such as high-speed rail transit, renewable energy, photovoltaics, nanotechnology, and health care. Hundreds of Taiwanese students enroll in Michigan colleges and universities every year; business, professional, legislative, and other delegations reciprocate visits regularly; and cultural, educational, and teacher exchanges continue to flourish, strengthening friendships and enhancing relations between Michigan and Taiwan; and

            Whereas, Taiwan’s absence from international organizations has impeded its ability to participate in global climate initiatives and to respond to natural disasters like Typhoon Morakot which struck Taiwan in the summer of 2009. An unusually destructive typhoon season existed in the Pacific, which was gratefully alleviated by the assistance of dozens of international organizations and nations that stepped up to help, including the United States, which supplied military equipment for rescue and recovery operations; and

            Whereas, Since 2001, aviation safety has become a major global concern, and Taiwan is a key air transport hub in the Asia-Pacific region, with more than one million flights passing through the Taipei Flight Information Region and one of the world’s largest airports by cargo volume at Taoyuan International Airport; and

            Whereas, Taiwan seeks greater regional integration in the Asian-Pacific and welcomes the opportunity presented by the United States announcement at the 2011 APEC leaders meeting of its intent to not only join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the proposed 21st-century trade agreement between the United States and eight other Asia-Pacific Rim countries, but to expand TPP membership in the future to include other countries such as Taiwan; and

            Whereas, The United States government has been added as a candidate for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, for which Taiwan and its many American supporters are grateful in this regard; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby congratulate the Republic of China (Taiwan) on its 20 years of participation in the APEC forum and the successful completion of its presidential and parliamentary elections in January and the May inauguration of President Ma Ying-jeou to a second term. We affirm our support for Taiwan’s efforts to secure entry to the TPP, along with the United States and other friendly Asia-Pacific Rim countries. We also reaffirm our support of the cordial relations between Michigan and Taiwan and for the meaningful participation of Taiwan in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to increase Taiwan’s international space and contribution to the global community; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Governor Richard D. Snyder, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres, ICAO Secretary General Raymond Benjamin, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago.