Report Title:

Taipei; Tainan; Sister State/City Relationship

WHEREAS, Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, was founded in the early 18th century, and in the 19th century it became an important center for overseas trade; and

WHEREAS, beginning as a rural town with less than 400,000 residents, Taipei has transformed itself into a modern city which, today, covers about 105 square miles and is the home of more than 2,700,000 registered residents with more than 4,700,000 people working and living in Greater Metropolitan Taipei; and

WHEREAS, in 1967, Taipei was declared a special municipality and has the status of a province and is now the home of almost all major administrative, legislative, and judicial authorities of Taiwan and serves as Taiwan's economic, cultural, and transportation hub; and

WHEREAS, Taipei and its environs are now the foremost industrial area of Taiwan. Most of the country's important textile factories are located there and other industries include the manufacture of electronic parts, electric machinery and appliances, wires and cables, canned goods, refrigeration systems, shipbuilding (including yachts and other pleasure craft), motorcycles, rubber goods, and various handicrafts; and

WHEREAS, Tainan Municipality is situated on the southwestern coastal plains of the island and enjoys a warm climate year-round and is the oldest and now fourth-largest city with a population in excess of 700,000; and

WHEREAS, with its long history, Tainan is rich in historic sites and cultural heritage and has become, in the collective minds of all residents of Taiwan, the symbol of old Taiwan and its historic traditions; and

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii and the municipalities of Taipei, Tai Chung, and Tainan share numerous similarities including ethnic Chinese in the State with ties to Taiwan, stable economies, hardworking populations, a rich cultural heritage and traditions, and a wealth of natural beauty; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-First Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, that the Governor, Senate of the State of Hawaii, or designee, is authorized to take all necessary actions to implement a relationship for the purpose of focusing on economic development between the State of Hawaii and the geographical areas of Taipei, Tai Chung, and Tainan, Taiwan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is requested to keep the Senate of the State of Hawaii fully informed of the progress in the relationship, and to involve the Senate in the relationship to the extent possible; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a memorandum of agreement shall be signed between the State of Hawaii and Taiwan in regards to the relationship; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of the Governor is requested to afford to the geographic areas of Taipei, Tai Chung, and Tainan, Taiwan the privileges and honors to which Hawaii extends to its other sister states and provinces; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, President of the Senate, and Taipei, Tai Chung, and Tainan government officials.