SENATE RESOLUTION
8628
By Senators J. Wilson and Hasegawa
WHEREAS, In 2024, China became the state of Washington's largest export market, with goods exports to China totaling a robust $12 billion; and
WHEREAS, The state of Washington's agricultural exports to China reached $857 million in 2023, including beef, fish, seafood, and wheat, playing a critical role in supporting Washington's agricultural environment; and
WHEREAS, According to the 2020 Census, there were 185,877 people of Chinese descent living in the state of Washington, making them the largest Asian American ethnic group in the state, and contributing significantly to the cultural and economic diversity of the state; and
WHEREAS, Between 2010 and 2020, the Asian American and Pacific Islander population in the state of Washington grew by 56 percent, making it the fastest-growing minority group, with Chinese Americans playing a key role in this growth; and
WHEREAS, The Washington State China Relations Council, founded in 1979, is the oldest nongovernmental organization dedicated to fostering trade, cultural, and educational exchanges between the state of Washington and the People's Republic of China, with a membership of over 100 entities from business, higher education, and cultural sectors; and
WHEREAS, The United States and the People's Republic of China established formal diplomatic relations on January 1, 1979, a milestone that has contributed to decades of collaboration between the two nations in trade, commerce, and education; and
WHEREAS, In 2024, the total trade volume between the United States and China reached approximately $626 billion, with the state of Washington benefiting significantly from these bilateral trade relations;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of Washington recognize the significant contributions of China to the economic growth and cultural diversity of the state of Washington, with the Senate of the state of Washington honoring this relationship.
I, Sarah Bannister, Secretary of the Senate,