Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the morning of May 28, President Lai Ching-te met a delegation led by Marie-Noëlle Battistel, chair of the French National Assembly’s Taiwan Friendship Group. In remarks, President Lai stated that Taiwan and France are democratic partners that share the values of freedom and respect for human rights. He also noted that France is Taiwan’s fifth largest trading partner in Europe, as well as Taiwan’s primary partner in Europe for scientific research. The president thanked France for its continued actions to safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. He expressed hope that Taiwan and France, in face of the challenges of this new era, will continue to strengthen their bilateral strategic partnership and work together to forge an even more prosperous future.

A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:

I would first like to welcome Chair Battistel on her second visit to Taiwan since June of last year, leading a delegation from the French National Assembly’s Taiwan Friendship Group on both occasions. Two years ago, Chair Battistel also co-led a delegation to attend my and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao’s inauguration ceremony. Furthermore, in 2023, I had the pleasure of receiving a delegation led by then-Chair of the Taiwan Friendship Group Eric Bothorel. Today’s gathering is not only a warm reunion of good friends, but a passing of the torch that signifies the enduring friendship between Taiwan and France.

Taiwan and France are democratic partners that share the values of freedom and respect for human rights. Last month, when my state visit to our ally the Kingdom of Eswatini was temporarily put on hold after China pressured third countries to cancel our charter flight permits, Chair Battistel and former Chair Bothorel immediately stepped forward to strongly condemn China’s actions. The National Assembly’s Taiwan Friendship Group also issued a statement in staunch support of Taiwan, ensuring that the voice of justice was heard by the international community. I would like to extend my respect and gratitude to all the National Assembly members present today, as well as to every member of the Taiwan Friendship Group.

I also would like to thank France for its continued actions to safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. In 2023, both chambers of the French Parliament passed the seven-year Military Programming Law, incorporating language supportive of Taiwan and making France the first major country in the world to enact legislation defending freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait. During his visit to Japan this past April, President Emmanuel Macron issued a joint statement with Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae emphasizing the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Looking ahead, Taiwan will continue to work hand in hand with France to promote global peace, prosperity, and development.

France is Taiwan’s fifth largest trading partner in Europe, as well as our primary European partner for scientific research. In April of this year, France hosted the second France-Taiwan Science and Technology Conference. Across key fields, including semiconductors and quantum technology, biomedicine, green energy and carbon reduction, AI and cybersecurity, and space and marine research, Taiwan and France have engaged in in-depth exchanges, jointly constructing a resilient and strategic technological cooperation network.

In face of the challenges of this new era, I look forward to Taiwan and France continuing to strengthen our bilateral strategic partnership, deepening our friendship as we work together to forge an even more prosperous future.
 
Chair Battistel then delivered remarks, stating that she is deeply honored to set foot on Taiwan, a land filled with democracy, innovation, and freedom, and on behalf of the delegation, expressed her gratitude to the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for its warm hospitality. She noted that her receipt of the Friendship Medal of Diplomacy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Tuesday symbolized the profound friendship between Taiwan and France. Over the years, she said, Taiwan and France have maintained a close, sincere, and mutually respectful relationship, continuing to deepen cooperation across fields such as culture, the economy, scientific research, transportation, and trade, as well as academic, technological, and people-to-people exchanges.

The chair stated that through regular exchanges, the peoples of France and Taiwan have learned to understand one another, work together, and build deep trust. These continuous exchanges demonstrate the resilience of Taiwan-France ties, she said, and underscore that Taiwan stands as an important partner for France in the Indo-Pacific region.
 
Chair Battistel pointed out that beyond the substantive results of their collaboration, France and Taiwan share the conviction that democracies must defend their common values through dialogue, cooperation, and mutual support. She stated that both sides place great importance on liberty, freedom of speech, democracy and diversity, the spirit of the rule of law, fundamental human rights, and respect for national sovereignty. As the whole world faces heightened tensions, escalating crises, and challenges to international law, she said, democracies must stand even firmer in defending their shared values.

Chair Battistel also expressed her respect for the people of Taiwan, who have demonstrated admirable resilience in the face of intensifying pressure and authoritarian expansion from China. She noted that when President Lai’s trip to Africa, originally scheduled for April, was delayed due to pressure from China, France immediately and publicly condemned these actions. The chair said that the international situation over the past two years has repeatedly proven that when facing diplomatic and economic coercion, disinformation, cyberattacks, and military pressure, Taiwan has consistently responded with calmness, dignity, and composure.
 
The chair indicated that despite these tensions, Taiwan continues to maintain rich, free public discourse and hold regular, transparent elections, while possessing a thriving civil society and an innovative economy, making it an exemplary model for democratic societies. She stated that the resilience Taiwan has displayed deserves respect and praise from the international community, and serves as a reminder to the world that democracy can never be taken for granted, but is a vital value that must be continuously protected and defended. In this turbulent world, where certain authoritarian regimes attempt to impose their rules and power by force, Chair Battistel said, unity among democracies has become more crucial than ever. Therefore, she concluded, France and Taiwan must continue to consolidate their strong partnership.

In closing, Chair Battistel reaffirmed that the delegation members will continue to support Taiwan’s international participation and the right of the people of Taiwan to determine their own future. She emphasized that what connects the people of France and Taiwan is not merely strategic and economic interests, but a steadfast, shared conviction in freedom, democracy, and international law – values that serve as the indispensable foundation for building a peaceful, prosperous international order.

The delegation also included First Secretary of the French Socialist Party Olivier Faure, as well as National Assembly Members Christine Pirès-Beaune, Virginie Duby-Muller, Cyrille Isaac-Sibille, and Mickaël Cosson. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by French Office in Taipei Deputy Director Cléa Le Cardeur.