FL S0502

Florida Senate Resolution 502, introduced by Senator Rodriguez, encourages the enhancement of the sister-state relationship and bilateral economic and cultural ties between Florida and the Republic of China (Taiwan), citing shared values of freedom, democracy, rule of law, and human rights protection.

As of October 2020, Taiwan was the United States' ninth largest trading partner and Florida's sixth largest export market in Asia, generating more than $1.147 million in trade and investment ties in 2019, a 16 percent increase from the previous year.

The resolution supports Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations, including observer status in the World Health Assembly to assist in combating COVID-19, and notes Taiwan donated more than 420,000 medical masks to Florida state and local governments during the pandemic.

Several sister-city and sister-state relationships are recognized, including between Florida and Taiwan, Miami-Dade County and New Taipei City, the Port of Miami and the Port of Kaohsiung, Tainan City and Orlando, and Kaohsiung City paired with Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Pensacola.

A copy of the resolution is directed to be transmitted to President Tsai Ing-wen through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami and to the Executive Office of the Governor.