2023-04-26
VP of French Senate and Members of the Senate Taiwan Friendship Group Visit DPP
This evening (April 26), Alain Richard, Vice President of the French Senate, Chairman of the Taiwan Friendship Group, and recipient of the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon bestowed by President Tsai Ing-wen, led a cross-party delegation of Friendship Group members to visit the DPP. The two sides engaged in a friendly discussion on diplomacy, regional developments, international participation, and the 2024 Presidential election. The DPP’s receiving party was composed of Deputy Secretary General Andrea Yi-Shan Yang; Executive Director of the Policy Research and Coordination Committee and Member of Legislative Yuan Chih-cheng Lo; Party Spokesperson and Department of International Affairs Director Peifen Hsieh; Department of China Affairs Director Jun-zhi Wu and International Affairs Department Deputy Director Alysa Wen-Li Chiu.
In addition to VP Richard, the French delegation also included Senator Alexandra Borchio Fontimp; Senator Brigitte Devésa; Secretary of the Taiwan Friendship Group Philippe Péjo; Director of the French Office in Taipei Jean-François Casabonne-Masonnave; Head of the Political Affairs, Press, and Communication Section at the French Office in Taipei Pierre Goulange, and more.
At the meeting, Deputy Secretary General Yang, on behalf of Chairperson Lai Ching-te and Secretary General Hsu Li-ming, began by welcoming VP Richard and his delegation of Taiwan Friendship Group members. By making the long journey, they have demonstrated their support for Taiwan. VP Richard also expressed his concern for Taiwan’s upcoming Presidential and Legislative elections.
Deputy Secretary General Yang stated that, since the Russo-Ukraine war broke out, security in the Taiwan Strait has become a point of mutual global attention. Because of this, discussion and attention from the international community toward Taiwan has reached unprecedented levels. We are also aware that many European countries, including France, have continued to make public statements in support of peace in the region. These are important gestures.
Executive Director Lo said that Taiwan has always stood alongside democratic nations, and expressed gratitude for the steadfast support of our international friends. He believes that their goodwill is clear and that the people of Taiwan can feel it deeply.
Richard also specifically mentioned that the support of democracies and the international community are both quite important for Taiwan. His delegation is also aware of the US’ firm support of Taiwan. Over the last two years, the US government’s decisions and statements with regard to Taiwan have, on a fundamental level, all conveyed a message of hope for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and have further indicated that the US will provide more support for the people of Taiwan.
Director Hsieh reported that this meeting was thoroughly enjoyable for both sides. Deputy Secretary General Yang presented the visiting delegation with a flag depicting unique local species and indigenous totems of Taiwan, as well as local specialty pineapple cakes. The visiting members presented specially selected gifts in return. Through fortunate coincidence, Senator Devésa also gave a dessert from a French Michelin-starred chef which combined French specialty olives and Taiwanese pineapple – richly demonstrating the cultural fusion stemming from French-Taiwanese civil exchanges.
