In the afternoon of September 18, President of the Legislative Yuan Daniel K.Y. Han, accompanied by Vice President Johnny C. Chiang, KMT Legislator Huang Jen, DPP Legislator Kuo Yu-Ching, TPP Legislator Chang Chi-Kai, and Director of the Department of International Affairs Kevin C.F. Lin, along with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-Kwang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of European Affairs Li Hsiu-Yao, and Deputy Director of the French Office in Taipei Cléa Le Cardeur, met with a four-member delegation of the French Senate’s France-Vanuatu-Pacific Islands Friendship Group, led by its president, Christophe-André Frassa.

President Han first extended a warm welcome to the guests. After taking a group photo with the attending legislators and guests, he noted that the presence of cross-party legislators today symbolizes the Legislative Yuan’s high regard for the visiting delegation. President Han went on to share with the delegation members that people in Taiwan have a profound appreciation for French cuisine, culture, boutique stores, and even technology. French artistic and cultural creations, such as many literary works, plays, and operas, are broadly admired too, including household classics The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (père), The Lady of the Camellias by Alexandre Dumas (fils), and The Miserables by Victor Hugo. Another example of well-established brands in Taiwan is the hypermarket Carrefour, which provides goods that make life more convenient, and French boutique goods, which are also highly sought-after. In addition, France is the one of the most favored tourist destinations in Europe for Taiwanese travelers, and even the airplane we take, Airbus, comes from France.

President Han also congratulated the visiting guests for winning 16 golden medals, 26 silver medals, and 22 bronze medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Having successfully hosted this year’s summer Olympics, France won a total of 64 medals, ranking first among other European countries—an outstanding achievement. President Han said that the Legislative Yuan has 113 legislators, and among them, 35 legislators participate in the France-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association, accounting for one third of the total members. Therefore, the visit of the delegation to Taiwan is of great importance in enhancing two-way exchanges. That said, President Han thanked President Emmanuel Macron for promulgating the seven-year Military Programming Law in 2023. France is the first country in the world to highlight the importance of safeguarding the freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region through legislation; moreover, the law pays particular attention to the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. With maintaining peace and stability within the region as its purpose, the law serves as a strong incentive for Taiwan.

In his speech, President Frassa first thanked President Han and legislators present for their warm reception as well as their compliments to France. Just as President Han mentioned, French cuisine, culture, and literature attract Taiwanese travelers to visit France, and so does Taiwan’s excellent performance in advanced industries such as technology and AI appeal to the French people. Taiwan’s technological progress has in many ways helped improve modern life. He shared with the attendees that the number of members of the French Senate-Taiwan Friendship Group has exceeded that of the France-China Friendship Group, and that France would like to work with Taiwan in the development of future industries, advancing toward a more modern life in the 21st century.

Vice President Chiang also thanked the French government in promulgating the seven-year Military Programming Law last August, and for dispatching warships to cross the Taiwan Strait. It is evident that the French government is deeply concerned about geopolitics and the safety of the Taiwan Strait, which highlights the importance of maintaining a free, open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region in preserving global peace.

During the bilateral exchange, Legislator Huang Jen mentioned that France and Taiwan are both countries that uphold the values of democracy, freedom, and peace. He hoped that the two countries will have close partnerships in areas such as technology and medical care.

Legislator Kuo Yu-Ching welcomed the visiting guests in French. Apart from thanking France for its support of Taiwan’s international participation, she stressed that both countries share the universal values of democracy, freedom, and human rights. It was her sincere wish that France and Taiwan can continue to collaborate to establish a prosperous future.

Legislator Chang Chi-Kai thanked the French government’s support and reception during the 2024 Paris Olympics, and mentioned that as both nations are close economic and trade partners, he expressed his desire for Taiwan to expand its collaboration with France in various sectors such as energy and technology.

Both sides exchanged views on several issues extensively, including gender equality, energy, national defense, and regional stability. The meeting lasted approximately one hour in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. It came to a successful end after both parties exchanged souvenirs and took group photos.