New York, April 23 (CNA) Members of the New York State Senate and Assembly took part in celebrations Tuesday to mark Taiwan Heritage Day, and thanked the country for its assistance in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, which battered the United States last October.
Prior to the event, the two bodies both passed a resolution commending the generosity and the outpouring of compassion by Taiwan in the aftermath of the disaster.
The Senate resolution, sponsored by Sen. Ruben Diaz, received the unanimous support of the body and was also passed by the New York State Assembly.
Taiwan is New York's 16th-largest foreign market and its government, the Taiwan-based Tzu Chi Buddhist Compassion Relief Foundation, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in New York and other overseas organizations have helped the state recover from the disaster, Diaz said.
Taiwan is one of the closest friends of the U.S. in Asia, and has made notable efforts in maintaining peace and prosperity in East Asia, he said.
The resolution recognizes Taiwan's humanitarianism and mentions the country's wish to sign a bilateral investment agreement and free trade agreement with the U.S and to participate in international organizations such as the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement.
Andrew Kao, Taiwan's envoy in New York, who hosted the celebrations for Taiwan heritage day, said the members are willing to help the two countries develop closer relations and back Taiwan's bid to join the International Civil Aviation Organization and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Over 10 state legislature members took part in the celebration.
(By Leaf Chiang and Maia Huang)