LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the found-
ing of the Republic of China

WHEREAS, The Republic of China, which was founded by Dr. Sun Yat-Sen in
1912, was the first republic in Asia; and
WHEREAS, 2011 marks the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the
Republic of China; and
WHEREAS, For more than several decades, the Republic of China has
worked to establish itself as a strong and successful model of democracy
in Taiwan and remained a bright beacon of democracy in Asia and the
world; and
WHEREAS, Through Cross-Strait dialogues, the establishment of the
Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with Mainland China and
a policy of flexible diplomacy which are implemented by the government
under President Ma Ying-Jeou, Taiwan has transformed itself to a corner-
stone for peace and prosperity in East Asia; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan is the ninth trading partner and one of the strongest
democratic allies of the United States; and
WHEREAS, The United States assisted Taiwan in participating in the
World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer in May of 2009, and will
continue supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation in other United
Nations-affiliated organizations such as the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC); and
WHEREAS, In order to further strengthen the relationship between the
United States and the Republic of China, the government of the Republic
of China has expressed its hope that the United States will sign a
bilateral extradition treaty with Taiwan, include Taiwanese passport
holders into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), resume negotiation on a
Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and sign a Free Trade
Agreement (FTA) with Taiwan in the near future; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York exported $1.5 billion worth of products
to Taiwan in 2010, making Taiwan the fifteenth largest foreign market
for New York State in 2010, strengthening our economic ties; and
WHEREAS, Many of the United States' top 500 companies headquartered in
New York have invested in Taiwan, including IBM, Pfizer, Corning, Citi-
group, MetLife, J.P. Morgan and New York Life; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York is home to a thriving overseas Taiwa-
nese community; both the government of Taiwan and Taiwanese Americans
devote themselves to the local community service in the State of New
York; New York State has maintained a friendly and fruitful sister-state
relationship with Taiwan for many years; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Republic of
China, and to express and record its strong commitment to a closer
economic partnership with Taiwan; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to President Ma Ying-Jeou of the Republic of China through the
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York.