From May 9 to 17, 2026, Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han (韓國瑜) led an eight-member delegation of cross-party legislators on a visit to France and the United Kingdom (UK), with stops in Paris and London, to advance congressional diplomacy. Upon the delegation’s return to Taiwan on the afternoon of May 17, President Han and the participating legislators delivered brief remarks at the airport to report to the public on the achievements of the visit.
President Han stated that the visit had yielded fruitful results in four major areas. First, at the parliamentary leadership level, he held separate meetings with Gérard Larcher, President of the French Senate, and Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons. President Han described these meetings as one of the delegation’s most significant achievements and noted that they would serve as a driving force for advancing congressional diplomacy in the future.
Second, at the legislator level, exchanges between Taiwan and France lawmakers were facilitated through the Taiwan-France Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association chaired by DPP Legislator Lin Chu-Yin, and the French National Assembly's Taiwan Friendship Group. Exchanges between Taiwan and the United Kingdom were promoted through the ROC-UK Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association, and the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). These platforms enabled close and active bipartisan exchanges between legislators from Taiwan, France, and the United Kingdom. President Han noted that return visits by parliamentary delegations are expected in late May, demonstrating the concrete achievements of congressional diplomacy.
Third, the delegation held discussions with two of Europe’s leading think tanks—the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in the UK. The exchanges covered a wide range of issues, including national security, the implications of the U.S.–China leaders’ summit, energy resilience, and cooperation on critical industrial supply chains, which were helpful in deepening international understanding of Taiwan, the Taiwan Strait, and the geopolitical situation in Northeast Asia.
Fourth, the delegation attended the 32nd Annual Conference of The Council of Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce in Europe (ETCC) and met with overseas compatriots in France and the United Kingdom. President Han remarked that overseas compatriots, through their hard work abroad, have become Taiwan’s strongest supporters. He was deeply touched by their enduring bonds to the homeland and encouraged overseas compatriots to return home whenever possible, reminding them that "we are all one family, and we are all Taiwanese."
Last but not least, President Han expressed his appreciation to the participating legislators from across party lines for their dedication and contributions throughout the visit. He also thanked Vice President Johnny C. Chiang (江啟臣) and Secretary General Chou Wan-Lai for overseeing the Legislative Yuan’s important affairs during the delegation’s absence. President Han emphasized that congressional diplomacy has long been one of the Legislative Yuan’s important responsibilities and expressed his hope that everyone would continue working together to advance this mission. (2026/05/17)
