Image Credit: Taiwan News
Taiwan’s Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu met with a delegation of French lawmakers on Wednesday, marking a significant moment in the 40-year relationship between the two countries. During discussions with Senator Christophe-Andre Frassa and his team, Han underscored the importance of Taiwan-France ties, especially in the context of growing inter-parliamentary exchanges.
One of the key points Han highlighted was the strength of the Taiwan-France Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association, noting that a third of Taiwan’s legislators are active members. He expressed optimism about the potential for further cooperation between the two nations, particularly in areas of mutual interest such as technology and trade.
Frassa, leading the French delegation, acknowledged Taiwan’s crucial role in global technological advancements and expressed France’s interest in deepening business collaboration. He mentioned that the number of French Senate members in the Taiwan Friendship Group now exceeds those in the China Friendship Group, a reflection of the evolving diplomatic focus.
The visit, the first by the French Senate in over a year, comes after the previous delegation’s trip in July 2023, which centred around regional geopolitics, human rights, and trade discussions. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the latest visit as a sign of continued French support for Taiwan, particularly in defending shared democratic values.
Han also took the opportunity to congratulate France on successfully hosting the Paris Olympics, commending the nation’s achievements in both sports and international diplomacy. The meeting concluded with mutual recognition of the importance of strengthening Taiwan-France relations, with both parties expressing hope for enhanced collaboration in the years to come.