WASHINGTON (Mar. 1, 2023) — Both houses of West Virginia’s state legislature passed resolutions on Tuesday in support of a wide variety of measures related to Taiwan. The legislature also celebrated the 43rd anniversary of the sisterhood relationship between West Virginia and Taiwan.
The resolutions voiced support for the signing of a bilateral trade agreement and an avoidance of double taxation agreement between the United States and Taiwan, further engagement between American and Taiwanese universities to promote language exchange programs and Taiwan’s participation in various international organizations such as WHO, ICAO, UNFCCC and INTERPOL. A “Taiwan Friendship Caucus” was also established in both the Senate and the House of Delegates.
Representative Bi-khim Hsiao was invited to observe the passage of the resolutions and deliver remarks to the West Virginia House of Delegates. Senate President Craig Blair, House of Delegates Speaker Roger Hanshaw and Chairman Gary Howell presented a hardcopy of the resolutions and citations in recognition of the “Taiwan Friendship Caucus” to the TECRO delegation. Over 40 bipartisan West Virginia legislators have joined these caucuses.
Rep. Hsiao also met with some 30 students from a local high school to promote educational and cultural exchanges and was invited to witness the signing ceremony of an MOU between Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and West Virginia’s Department of Education. The MOU lays a solid foundation for future language exchanges and educational cooperation.
To promote bilateral economic and business opportunities, TECRO’s delegation also visited APG Polytech in Mason County, held a business meeting with Secretary Mitch Carmichael of the Department of Economic Development and visited with Secretary of State Mac Warner.
TECRO greatly appreciates the staunch support and longstanding friendship from the Mountain State and looks forward to advancing our partnership to new heights in the years ahead.
