Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

During a meeting with French Office in Taipei Director Jean-Francois Casabonne-Masonnave on the morning of November 29, President Tsai Ing-wen stated that Taiwan and France have maintained close ties in such areas as culture, education, human rights, science, and technology. She said that earlier this month, the Meet La French Tech event helped link the French and Taiwanese innovation ecosystems. The president then expressed hope that Taiwan and France will step up exchanges and cooperation so that together, we can seize upon emerging opportunities to help our industries thrive.

A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows:

I remember the first time I met with Director Casabonne-Masonnave this past September, when the French National Assembly's France-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group Chairman Jean-François Cesarini visited. At that time, Mr. Casabonne-Masonnave had just taken up his new post as Director of the French Office in Taipei, and on his first day on the job he accompanied a very important guest to the Presidential Office.

I am happy to see Director Casabonne-Masonnave again today. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I would like to welcome him to Taiwan to work together with us in enhancing Taiwan-France relations.

Although he has been the Director of the French Office in Taipei for not yet three months, Mr. Casabonne-Masonnave has already met with quite a few of our Cabinet members and visited counties and cities in northern, southern and eastern Taiwan. In light of his rich experience as a diplomat and willingness to take action, I firmly believe that relations between our two countries will make progress during his tenure in Taiwan.

Over the past three years, Taiwan and France have maintained close ties in such areas as culture, education, human rights, science, and technology. French wines, for example, are very popular in Taiwan.

But fine wines are not the only things from France that have come to Taiwan. Many leading French start-up teams came to Taiwan to engage in exchanges.

Earlier this month the Meet La French Tech event helped link the French and Taiwanese innovation ecosystems. In addition to bilateral exchanges in Taiwan, award-winning Taiwanese teams will also have the opportunity to receive training in France. I want to thank the French Office in Taipei for their assistance, enabling our two countries to join forces as we both work to become global powerhouses for innovative technologies.

Also, in the area of FinTech development, we are very pleased that a French company will be exhibiting this year for the first time at FinTech Taipei. As FinTech begins to take off, I want to invite France to step up exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan so that together, we can seize upon emerging opportunities to help our industries thrive.