On February 19, 2024, Consultant Kao Ming-chiu of the Legislative Yuan attended at 10 a.m. the inauguration of Taiwan-France Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association and Taiwan-Poland Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association, convened by Legislator Lin Chu-yin. Also in attendance were Legislators Chung Chia-pin, Kuo Yu-ching, Wu Szu-yao, Wu Pei-yi, Puma Shen, Shen Fa-hui, Lin Yueh-chin, Lee Kuen-cheng, Chen Kuan-ting, Loh Meei-ling, Chuang Jui-hsiung, Hsu Chih-chieh, Wang Mei-hui, Fan Yun, Lai Hui-yuan, Hung Sun-han, Ngalim Tiunn, Huang Jie, and Honorary Chairperson Lin Ching-yi; Deputy Foreign Minister Kelly Hsieh Wu-chiao; Director Cyryl Jacek Kozaczewski of the Polish Office in Taipei; Director Franck Paris of the French Office in Taipei.

With Legislator Lin presiding over the inauguration, the organizational charters of the two associations were passed, with their respective president and vice presidents elected. Consultant Kao continued with a remark congratulating Legislator Lin on forming the first two parliamentary friendship associations in the new Legislature, right on the first day returning to work after the Chinese New Year holidays. Kao also extended blessings on behalf of President Daniel K.Y. Han to all legislators at the event. Touching on the long history and rich culture of France and Poland, Kao stressed the role of the two countries as main contributors to the safeguarding of freedom, democracy, and human rights today. Legislator Lin mentioned that in 2021, the French Parliament passed a resolution supporting Taiwan’s international participation, and there have been visits to France by delegations led by the presidents and vice presidents of the Amity Associations over the years; these are successful cases of parliamentary exchanges between the two nations and of building resilient bilateral relations in a substantial way. Consultant Kao added that the political status of Taiwan has escalated to an international issue over the past few years, and it is hoped that governments around the world would continue to work with Taiwan to safeguard democracy in the future. In addition, the Legislative Yuan’s Department of International Affairs, which was just launched in September 2022, will continue to assist in the forming of parliamentary friendship associations, along with the full administrative support from the Secretary-General of the Legislative Yuan. In closing, Consultant Kao extended his blessings for good health and great fortune to the legislators and distinguished guests present and wished a great success to future collaborations with the Associations.

The inauguration concluded after 50 minutes with a group photo after the remarks by the attending guests and a video of congratulations from Ambassador Wu Chih-chung, the Taiwan Envoy to France.