SC State Representative presented with Medal by TECO-Atlanta

Press Release

April 6, 2005

The Honorable Liston Barfield, State Representative of South Carolina, was awarded "Friend of the Foreign Service" medal on April 1^st by the government of Taiwan for his contribution in promoting relations between Taiwan and the Palmetto State. The medal is the highest honor the government of Taiwan presents to civilians for outstanding contribution to its foreign relations. 

The medal was presented by Mr. R.C. Wu, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta, the de facto Consulate General of Taiwan for the Southeast U.S.  

During the ceremony, Mr. Wu commended Rep. Barfield, a veteran state legislator from Horry County, for his efforts in helping enhance bilateral ties between Taiwan and South Carolina. 

Taiwan and the Palmetto State have maintained strong and cordial relations for many decades. The two sides established sister-state relations in 1981; and commercial activities have continued to flourish. In 2004, the volume of South Carolina's export to Taiwan reached 176.89 million USD, with 9.8% growth from the previous year. Taiwanese foreign-direct investment has also been strong in South Carolina, the most notable of which being the Nan Ya Plastics America manufacturing plant in Lake City which produces polyester fibers and chips through a fully automated process. 

In addition to their commercial relationship, Taiwan and South Carolina also share a solid friendship. In March 2005, when Beijing was drafting the so-called "Anti-secession Law" that would provide China with a "legal basis" to attack Taiwan, South Carolina was the first of the U.S. states to pass a resolution in its General Assembly in opposition to China¡¦s increasing hostility toward Taiwan.