JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri House of Representatives was honored to welcome Director General of Taiwan, Mr. Bill S.C. Huang, as he addressed the chamber on Wednesday, April 3rd. The significant event highlighted the long-standing alliance between Missouri and Taiwan, and their mutual commitment to democracy, freedom, and prosperity.
Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher (left) applauds as Director General of Taiwan, Mr. Bill S.C. Huang (center) presents State Representative Herman Morse (right) with a certificate and medal. (Tim Bommel/House Communications)
Director General Bill Huang’s address to the Missouri House of Representatives highlighted the importance of bolstering ties between Taiwan and the United States, particularly at the state level. He thanked Missouri for the strong bonds shared with Missouri and spoke of his appreciation for the state’s steadfast support and dedication to democracy and fighting for human rights. He also commended the commitment to fostering strong relationships with Taiwan and emphasized the significance of collaboration in addressing global challenges.
“Over the past 45 years, the United States has remained Taiwan’s second largest partner, and third largest source of investment. Taiwan has become the United States eighth largest trading partner, and trade has grown to $160 billion in the year 2022,” Huang said. “In the past few years, relations have continued to grow significantly on average by 20 percent each year, even during the pandemic, through the Taiwan-US Economic Prosperity Partnership, dialogue, and the Taiwan-US Technology Trade and Investment Framework.”
Since 1980, Taiwan has maintained a sisterly relationship with the State of Missouri. Throughout the years, Taiwan has evolved into one of the world’s foremost economic and trading powerhouses. Over the past decade, Taiwan has shifted from being primarily a hub for light industry manufacturing to emerging as a leading global center for the production of high-tech goods.
Additionally, this year commemorates the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, which promotes ongoing commercial and cultural exchanges between the people of the United States and Taiwan.
Speaking about ongoing relations between Taiwan and China, Huang said that country has been defending the front lines of democracy with their people, their time, and their blood.
“Taiwan is a young democracy, and we wish to conduct healthy and orderly exchanges with China… we also hope in the spirit of peace and democracy to see a long-term and stable way forward for peaceful coexistence with China,” Huang said. “Many friends in the U.S. often wonder if a peace-loving and relatively smaller country like Taiwan can withstand aggression from China. I would like to give you a simple answer by quoting a famous Missourian by the name of Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain: “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”
Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher reaffirmed Missouri’s unwavering commitment to the people of Taiwan in the face of increasing hostility from communist China.
“As Speaker of the House, I am proud to stand with Director General Huang and the people of Taiwan,” Speaker Plocher stated. “Missouri remains firmly dedicated to supporting our friends in Taiwan against any threats posed by an increasingly hostile communist China. Together, we will continue to champion freedom and democracy around the world.”
After addressing the House, Huang also honored State Representative Herman Morse by presenting him with a Friend of Foreign Service medal and certificate signed by the Taiwanese Minister of Foreign Affairs in recognition of his outstanding contributions to promoting relations between Taiwan and the United States.
Representative Dean Plocher, a Republican, represents part of St. Louis County (District 89) in the Missouri House of Representatives. The district includes the municipalities of Chesterfield, Country Life Acres, Crystal Lake Park, Des Peres, Frontenac, Huntleigh, Kirkwood, Ladue and Town & Country. Rep. Plocher was elected in a Special Election in November, 2015.