Joint Resolution Expressing Friendship and Support for Taiwan

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Joint Resolution Expressing Friendship and Support for Taiwan
2026 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Scott D. Sandall
House Sponsor:
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This resolution expresses support for the continued friendship between Utah and Taiwan.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
highlights the long-standing friendship between Utah and Taiwan;
supports a continuation of the Utah and Taiwan friendship;
supports deepening the religious, economic, educational, and cultural partnership between
Utah and Taiwan; and
encourages global organizations to admit Taiwan into their membership.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, the state of Utah has developed a strong relationship with Taiwan based on
shared values, including a commitment to religious freedom, democracy, human rights, the
rule of law, and a free market economy;
WHEREAS, the relationship between Utah and Taiwan began in 1956, when the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is headquartered in Utah, dispatched four missionaries
to Taiwan as a friendly exchange between the Taiwanese people and the people of Utah;
WHEREAS, by 2024, more than 43,000 Latter-day Saint missionaries had
served missions
in Taiwan;
WHEREAS, in 1980, Utah and Taiwan established a formal sister-state relationship,
deepening the cultural exchanges between Utah and Taiwan;
WHEREAS, today, approximately 2,400 foreign-born Taiwanese people live and work in
Utah, lending their support to Utah communities;
WHEREAS, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, in 2025 Utah
imported approximately $1 billion in goods from Taiwan, more than any other country;
WHEREAS, Taiwan is the first country to enter into the Driver License Reciprocity
Agreement with Utah;
WHEREAS, because of the Driver License Reciprocity Agreement, people with a driver
license from Utah can now drive when visiting Taiwan and people with a driver license from
Taiwan can drive when visiting Utah;
WHEREAS, the Driver License Reciprocity Agreement benefits both Utah and Taiwan,
resulting in a stronger relationship, politically and economically, while increasing the ease of
Taiwanese foreign citizens doing business in Utah;
WHEREAS, during the 2020 General Session, the Legislature passed a law incentivizing
public universities to work with industry leaders in creating multi-disciplinary programs;
WHEREAS, these multi-disciplinary programs prepare the workforce for scientific
discoveries and engineering innovations;
WHEREAS, Taiwan's participation in these multi-disciplinary programs mutually benefits
the people of Utah and Taiwan;
WHEREAS, Taiwan's participation and contributions in international organizations and
agreements, such as the bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan, the
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, the World Health Assembly, the
International Civil Aviation Organization, and other organizations, greatly benefit the people
of Utah and all Americans; and
WHEREAS, 2026 marks the 47th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, a foundation
upon which the United States, and particularly Utah, has maintained and strengthened its
economic and cultural ties with Taiwan:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah supports
strengthening the existing friendship with Taiwan on religious, economic, and cultural grounds.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature emphasizes the importance of the
collaborative relationship among the United States, Utah, and Taiwan in the technology sector,
higher education, and elsewhere.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature encourages Utah's federal
congressional delegation to continue strengthening the United States' and Utah's relationships
with Taiwan, and continue supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation in international
organizations and agreements.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Utah federal
congressional delegation and the Taipei Economic Cultural Office in San Francisco.
1-22-26 3:57 PM