Backup Documents 09/22/2020 Item #16H 5 1 6H 5
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, The Republic of China (Taiwan) observes the 109th National bay on October 10, 2020, and
since the establishment of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami in 1988 and the consequent
establishment of the sister-state and sister-city relations between the state and cities of Florida and
Taiwan, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami has spared no efforts in the upholding of bilateral
economic, cultural and educational 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.-Taiwan ties, which celebrates the 41' anniversary of
its enactment in 2020; 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, Or. Tsai Ing-wen, the first female President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and
democratically re-elected in 2020, was warmly welcomed in Miami on June 24, 2016, further enhancing the
bilateral relationship between Florida and Taiwan, as well as strengthening the common values it shares with
the U.S; and, the launch of FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 on June 25, 2019, a joint U.S.-Taiwan collaborative
space program of a constellation of six satellites designed to enhance the accuracy of atmospheric weather
prediction, has demonstrated the mutual benefit born of U.S.-Taiwan relations; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan is the 9th largest trading partner of the U.S. and the 10th largest export market in the
world for U.S. goods as of June 2020, 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. and Taiwan in order to strengthen further bilateral trade
and economic ties is welcome; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan's bid for 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, 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
WHEREAS, to assist in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government and People of Taiwan
have donated more than 11.75 million medical masks to the United States through federal and local
governments as of mid-2020. From that amount, more than 420,000 medical masks were donated in Florida;
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, 2020, be designated as
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