The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a resolution in support of Taiwan on April 27. The resolution was introduced by House Majority Leader Ronald. Massachusetts is the fourth state in New England to pass a similar resolution in 2017, after the Rhode Island House of Representatives (February), the Vermont House of Representatives (February), and the New Hampshire House of Representatives (March).
The resolution commends President Tsai Ing-wen for working tirelessly to uphold democratic principles in Taiwan, ensuring the prosperity of Taiwan’s 23 million people, promoting Taiwan’s international standing, and further improving relations between the United States and Taiwan, and maintaining peace in the Asia-Pacific region. It also notes that Taiwan has achieved a full democracy replete with free and transparent elections, including direct vote of the 14th-Term President and Vice President in 2016, which provides a beacon of hope and a model for all peoples in the Asia-Pacific region who desire to live under freedom and democracy. Furthermore, the resolution stresses that Taiwan is the 20th largest global market and its inclusion in international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is in the best interest and safety of the international community.
Massachusetts and Taiwan entered into sister-state relations in 1992, share a historically close relationship, marked by strong bilateral trade, educational and cultural exchange, scientific and technological interest, and tourism. The United States ranks as Taiwan’s 2nd largest trading partner and Taiwan is the 10th largest trading partner of the U.S. Taiwan and the United States seek to increase trade and investment through bilateral agreements, resulting in greater Massachusetts exports to Taiwan. New England exported more than $1 billion to Taiwan in 2016 of which Massachusetts exported $687 million, making Taiwan the 5th largest export market for Massachusetts in Asia.
