Senate Joint Resolution 25-016

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 25-016

BY SENATOR(S) Liston and Hinrichsen, Amabile, Baisley, Ball, Bridges, Bright, Carson, Catlin, Cutter, Danielson, Daugherty, Exum, Frizell, Gonzales J., Jodeh, Kipp, Kirkmeyer, Kolker, Lundeen, Marchman, Michaelson Jenet, Mullica, Pelton B., Pelton R., Rich, Roberts, Rodriguez, Simpson, Snyder, Sullivan, Wallace, Weissman, Winter F., Coleman;

also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Bird and Hartsook, Boesenecker, Brown, Caldwell, Camacho, Clifford, DeGraaf, Espenoza, Gonzalez R., Hamrick, Jackson, Keltie, Lindsay, Lindstedt, Lukens, Mabrey, Martinez, McCormick, Paschal, Phillips, Pugliese, Rydin, Sirota, Smith, Soper, Stewart K., Stewart R., Titone, Valdez, Velasco, Woodrow, McCluskie.

CONCERNING STRENGTHENING THE SISTER-STATE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE STATE OF COLORADO AND TAIWAN, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, REAFFIRMING SUPPORT FOR TAIWAN'S INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION.

WHEREAS, The state of Colorado and Taiwan have enjoyed a mutually beneficial sister-state relationship since 1983; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan and Colorado share the same values of freedom, democracy, rule of law, free markets, and respect for individual human rights; and

WHEREAS, Colorado and Taiwan have maintained a mutually beneficial trade relationship, so that Taiwan has consistently ranked among Colorado's top ten trading partners both as an export destination and as an import source; and

WHEREAS, On behalf of the state of Colorado, Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera led a trade and investment promotion delegation to Taiwan in November 2024, along with officials of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and a Colorado delegation of economic development professionals and industry leaders from the state, who explored opportunities with Taiwan in high-tech industries including aerospace, agriculture, and semiconductors; and

WHEREAS, Negotiations for a fair and reciprocal bilateral trade agreement between Taiwan and the United States are an important step toward further strengthening of bilateral trade and mutual investment between Colorado and Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, Pressure from the People's Republic of China has excluded Taiwan from full and effective membership in several international organizations; and

WHEREAS, The People's Republic of China continues to threaten the sovereignty of Taiwan on a daily basis; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan, as a responsible stakeholder in the international community, is seeking to meaningfully participate in the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the International Criminal Police Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity launched by the United States; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Seventy-fifth General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the House of Representatives concurring herein:

That we, the members of the Colorado General Assembly:

(1)  Strongly support Taiwan's sovereignty and vibrant democracy and celebrate the 42nd anniversary of sister-state relations with Taiwan;

(2)  Strongly support further strengthening of Colorado-Taiwan trade relations and academic exchanges;

(3)  Strongly support the signing of the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation between the United States and Taiwan to further bilateral investment activities; and

(4)  Strongly support Taiwan's inclusion in international organizations, which are significant to the health, safety, and well-being of its people and the world.

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this Joint Resolution be sent to Director General Bill Huang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver.