Backup Documents 09/10/2019 Item #10BPROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, The Republic of China (Taiwan) observes the 1081h National Day on October 10, 2019, and since the establishment
of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami in 1988 and the consequent establishment of the sister -state relations
between the State of Florida and Taiwan in 1992, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami has spared no efforts in
the support of bilateral economic, trade, educational, and cultural relations; and,
WHEREAS, the U.S. and Taiwan have maintained and enhanced a close friendship over the decades encompassing commercial,
cultural, and other interactions based on the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96-8 96th Congress), the cornerstone
of U.S.-Republic of China (Taiwan) ties, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of its enactment in 2019; and Taiwan has
been a member of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program since November 1, 2012, reflecting the ever -closer cooperation between
the U.S. and Taiwan and making travel for business and tourism between the two more convenient; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Tsai Ing -wen, the first female president of the Republic of China (Taiwan), was warmly welcomed in Miami
on June 24, 2016, further enhancing the bilateral relationship between Florida and Taiwan, strengthening the common values
it shares with the U.S.; and, the FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 project, a joint U.S.-Taiwan collaborative space program of a
constellation of six satellites designed to enhance the accuracy of atmospheric weather prediction launched from the Kennedy
Space Center on June 25, 2019, has demonstrated the mutual benefit born of U.S.-Taiwan relations; and,
WHEREAS, Taiwan is the 11th largest trading partner of the U.S. and the 15" largest export market in the world for U.S.
goods, as well as Florida's 6th largest market in Asia, garnering the Sunshine State more than 7,850 jobs and $944.3 million
in trade and investment ties in 2018; and, the establishment of a Bilateral Trade Agreement between the U.S., the State
of Florida and Taiwan to strengthen further bilateral trade and economic ties is welcome; and,
WHEREAS, Taiwan is a close strategic partner to the U.S. in East Asia with dynamic progress towards political democratization
and economic liberalization, as well as the promotion of education, humanitarian aid, healthcare, environmental protections,
technological innovation, and the advancement of basic human rights of life, liberty, and security; and, Taiwan's meaningful
participation in numerous international organizations, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, the World Health
Organization, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the International Criminal Police Organization
would benefit regional development, peace, and prosperity; and,
WHEREAS, Taiwan aspires to further contribute to international development and to promote peace and prosperity. We
cherish our traditional cordial sister -state and sister -city relations with Taiwan and hope to further solidify them; we
recognize Taiwan's efforts in its aim to participate effectively and meaningfully in global affairs, and we will continue to
support her mission of economic liberalization, political democratization and significant participation in the international arena.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, that October 10, 2019,
be designated as
REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN) DAY IN COLLIER COUNTY