Connecticut State Council passes resolution to commemorate 27th anniversary of sister-state relationship between Taiwan and Connecticut. On April 29th, a celebration tea party was held with over 100 members of the state legislature and local Taiwanese community in attendance.
The resolution was spearheaded by Gregg Haddad, chair of the Taiwan-Connecticut Friendship Group in the House of Representatives. In addition to encouraging cultural and educational exchanges between Taiwan and Connecticut and advocating for reciprocal driver’s license agreements, the resolution particularly recognizes 2026 as the 30th anniversary of direct presidential elections in the Republic of China (Taiwan) and acknowledges the United States as a partner in promoting democratic values in the Western Pacific for Taiwan. It underscores the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as cornerstones of the Taiwan-US relationship, which have maintained peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait for many years.
The resolution also expresses support for Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). It points out that the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade signed between Taiwan and the United States in February will strengthen economic and trade relations, reduce tariffs, promote U.S. industries, enhance the semiconductor supply chain, and emphasizes the benefits of the U.S.-Taiwan Trade Initiative and the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA) in deepening bilateral economic and trade ties, strengthening the resilience of both countries’ industrial supply chains.
The celebratory tea party was hosted by Gregg Haddad, chair of the House Taiwan-Connecticut Friendship Group, with leaders from both the Democratic and Republican parties in the state legislature in attendance. Members from the Taiwan-Connecticut Friendship Group, including Democratic chair Gregg Haddad and Republican chair Huang Tao, presented certificates of appreciation to Lee Chih-Chiang, Director of the New York Representative Office, demonstrating bipartisan support from the Connecticut State Council for Taiwan.
Lee Chih-Chiang engaged in lively discussions with local Taiwanese business leaders, community representatives, and legislators from Connecticut on how to deepen cooperation between Taiwan and Connecticut in economic, educational, and cultural aspects. In addition to live performances of Taiwanese folk music, the tea party featured booths showcasing calligraphy, tea culture, traditional paper lanterns, promotional materials from the New York Representative Office, and served bubble milk tea and Taiwanese pastries to allow Connecticut officials and guests to fully experience Taiwanese culture.
During his speech, Lee Chih-Chiang expressed gratitude to Gregg Haddad and Huang Tao for their efforts in promoting the resolution and highlighted the successes brought about by the educational cooperation memorandum initiated by Taiwan and Connecticut in January of the previous year. Lee Chih-Chiang emphasized that 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the 30th anniversary of direct presidential elections in the Republic of China (Taiwan), expressing hope for further advancement of relations between Taiwan and Connecticut and Taiwan and the United States on the foundation of friendship, prosperity, and goodwill.