New York and Louisiana states on Wednesday adopted resolutions to support Taiwan and promote US-Taiwan cooperation.
The New York resolution — Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to Proclaim May 29, 2024, as Taiwan Heritage Day in the State of New York — was adopted by the New York State Assembly on Wednesday following its previous adoption by the New York State Senate.
“Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is crucial to the maintenance of a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific,” the resolution says. “Taiwan is an indispensable partner in safeguarding peace and stability in the region.”
Photo courtesy of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York via CNA
Such importance has been repeatedly highlighted in international occasions, including the Quad, US-Japan, US-South Korea, US-EU, G7, NATO and East Asia summits, it says.
Washington and Taipei share close and growing relations in economics and trade, as well as education, it says.
Taiwan-born New York State senators John Liu (劉醇逸) and Iwen Chu (曲怡文) held a celebratory party on Wednesday, inviting Taiwanese officials and businesspeople to discuss with state lawmakers about how to deepen cooperation in economics, trade, education and culture between Taiwan and New York.
Photo courtesy of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston via CNA
At the “very Taiwanese” party, the Tendrum Art Percussion Group from Tainan was invited to perform and guests prayed for good luck to a Matsu statue from Chaotian Temple (朝天宮) in Yunlin County’s Beigang Township (北港).
Taiwan will continue to act as a trustworthy partner of the US in safeguarding regional peace and stability, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York Deputy Director-General Chang Li-shan (張麗賢) said.
She also thanked leaders of overseas Taiwanese communities in New York for their contribution to promoting friendly relations between New York and Taiwan.
Meanwhile, the Louisiana State Senate on Wednesday unanimously adopted House Concurrent Resolution 95 “to express support for the strengthening of the state’s partnership with Taiwan.”
The resolution was passed by the Louisiana House of Representatives on Monday last week, also unanimously.
The US and Taiwan share a “robust trade and investment partnership,” which “provides a solid foundation for a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement to spur job creation, further expand the global market and secure international supply chains,” the resolution says.
The resolution also commends Taiwan’s efforts to help address global challenges such as humanitarian crises, nontraditional security threats and pandemic prevention.
The state calls for strengthening the partnership with Taiwan, expanding Taiwan’s role on the global stage, and preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait through meaningful dialogue, it says.
It also supports a tax agreement between the US and Taiwan, as well as Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.
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