2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26107780D

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 210

Offered March 3, 2026

Commending Alexander Yui.

—————

Patrons—Scott, P.A., Keys-Gamarra, Oates and Ware; Senators: Diggs, Perry, Reeves and Surovell

—————

WHEREAS, Alexander Yui, the representative of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the United States, has worked diligently to enhance relations between the two nations and to ensure that his country is able to participate more fully in world affairs; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan, an independent and sovereign nation, has a dynamic and growing economy that produces many of the items necessary for 21st-century life, a strong culture of innovation, the infrastructure to support cutting edge development in a variety of sectors, and a longstanding reputation as a trusted global presence; and

WHEREAS, 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Taiwan's direct presidential elections, which were first instituted in 1996; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan, a thriving democracy of 23.5 million people, is a close economic and strategic partner to the United States and many of its closest allies, and Alexander Yui has advocated for Taiwan's inclusion in the United Nations (UN) and other international bodies; and

WHEREAS, at the start of 2026, Taiwan and the United States reached important agreements, including one on trade and investment, as well as the Joint Statement on the Pax Silica Declaration and U.S.-Taiwan Economic Security Cooperation; these achievements, accomplished within just the first month of 2026, demonstrate the efficiency and steady advancement in relations between Taiwan and the United States; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan's absence from UN specialized agencies, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), has had adverse effects on Taiwan's development, has deprived these agencies of Taiwan's valuable experience, and is inconsistent with the Purposes and Principles of the UN, enumerated in Chapter 1 of the UN Charter; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan makes meaningful contributions to the world community through foreign aid and its position as a major transport hub, both of which could be facilitated by an ability to work within UN frameworks; and

WHEREAS, the inclusion of Taiwan in the ICAO is consistent with the ICAO's stated purpose of ensuring that “international civil aviation be developed in a safe and orderly manner and that international air transport services may be established on the basis of equality of opportunity and operated soundly and economically”; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport is a key air transport hub in the Asia-Pacific region and in 2025 was ranked the world's 10th-largest airport by cargo volume and the world's 13th-busiest airport by passenger traffic; and

WHEREAS, aviation safety is a global issue that requires all members of the global community to take part in the ICAO in order to best serve the interests of every passenger; and

WHEREAS, 651,264 Americans traveled to Taiwan for business and leisure during 2024, making aviation safety in Taiwan a priority for Americans' safety and best interests, as well; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan was a founding member of the ICAO; despite losing its UN membership, and by extension its ICAO membership, in 1971, Taiwan has continued to abide by ICAO convention and to obtain information on ICAO decisions from countries friendly to Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan is excluded from other cooperative international organizations, such as Interpol, which is inconsistent with the organization's vision of “a world where law enforcement can securely access, share and communicate vital police information whenever and wherever needed, thereby supporting the security of the world's citizens” and deprives the Taiwanese people of the very information needed to ensure their security for reasons that are geopolitical rather than practical; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan has a strong willingness and ability to contribute to fighting transnational crime, including cybercrime, for which Taiwan is especially well suited given its robust information and communications technology sector; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan's experience and notable achievements give the country much to contribute in discussions with world bodies on a wide array of international challenges; and

WHEREAS, Alexander Yui and other Taiwanese officials have fought to end policies of isolation and ensure that Taiwan is accorded the same access as other sovereign countries around the world to join ICAO, Interpol, and similar international organizations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That Alexander Yui hereby be commended for his outstanding advocacy on behalf of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in international affairs and for his work to enhance global health, safety, and security by facilitating his country's participation in international bodies; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Alexander Yui as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his achievements on behalf of the Taiwanese people.