Taipei: Taiwan will continue to play his role as a member of the international community and ensure regional peace and stability, President Tsai Ing-Wen told the delegation of French Senator’s visit on Thursday amid increasing tension with China.
The four senators, led by former defense minister Alain Richard arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday, even though there were strong Chinese objections that looked at the island as their own territory and was always angry with the visit of foreign officials.
Visits by Senators came after four consecutive days, starting last Friday, the Chinese Mass Mass Mission mission to the Taiwan Air Defense Zone, the movement of meeting with Washington and its allies.
Speaking to the senator at the President’s office, Tsai thanked France because of his concern about the situation in the Strait and Taiwan support for his international participation.
“We will continue to fulfill our responsibilities as members of the international community to ensure peace and stability in the INDO-Pacific region.
We also hope to contribute more to the world along with France,” he added.
Richard, the head of the French Senate Taiwanese friendship group, was the State Defense Minister from 1997 to 2002 under President Jacques Chirac.
Richard has visited Taiwan twice before, in 2015 and 2018.
Tsai said Taiwan “Very moved” Richard decided to come, regardless of what he described as a “pressure” – reference to China.
In March, the Chinese Embassy in Paris warned against parliamentarians who met Taiwanese officials, encouraging rejection from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who said the French Senator was free to meet anyone they wanted when they traveled.
Tsai did not directly mention the Chinese Air Force activities recently.
The senators are not the only senior foreign visitors in Taiwan at this time.
Then on Thursday, Tsai will meet former Australian Prime Minister visiting Tony Abbott.
Both France and Australia do not have formal diplomatic bonds with Taiwan, like most countries.
Taiwan has been interested in supporting his relationship with other democracy because China increases its pressure campaign, trying to force the island to receive Chinese sovereignty.
The Taiwanese government has condemned the Chinese movement, and said it would defend freedom and democracy on the island, and that only Taiwanese could decide their future.