MINNESOTA (TVBS News) — The Minnesota Senate passed a resolution on Monday (April 8) supporting Taiwan, urging businesses to avoid belittling references when dealing with the country.
The resolution, championed by Senate President Bobby Joe Champion, Congressional Taiwan Caucus co-chairs Jason Rarick and John Hoffman, and two other senators, reaffirms the 40-year sister-state relationship between Minnesota and Taiwan.
To deepen economic and trade relations, the resolution supports a BTA and an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA) between Taiwan and the U.S.
It also supports Taiwan's participation in international organizations concerning public health, safety, and welfare, including the United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the U.S.-initiated Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).
The resolution reiterates support for the Taiwan Relations Act, a cornerstone of U.S. policy towards Taiwan for 45 years since the U.S. severed diplomatic ties with the Republic of China in 1979.
The resolution cites Section 4 of the Taiwan Relations Act to encourage Minnesota businesses to use "Taiwan" in commercial dealings, avoiding inappropriate diminutive references.
Dennis Yen-Feng Lei, Director General of Taipei Economic in Chicago, was invited to speak at the Republican and Democratic caucus meetings. He thanked the Minnesota Senate for its support of Taiwan-U.S. relations.