French lawmaker Eric Bothorel arrived in Taiwan on Monday. He arrived with Legislature Vice President Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌), who was returning from France after leading a bi-partisan delegation to meet with the French parliament last week.
Bothorel reiterated France's stance on Taiwan to reporters at the airport, contrary to recent comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron. While Macron suggested that France should prioritize building its strategic autonomy rather than becoming embroiled in international crises, Bothorel emphasized that this did not signal a shift in France's position on Taiwan.
Macron's remarks have drawn criticism from European diplomats and Taiwanese lawmakers, who accuse him of being tone-deaf to the current global climate.
Bothorel says the delegation’s visit is intended to strengthen France-Taiwan relations and bolster trade and cultural exchanges. Lawmaker Constance Le Grip, who is visiting Taiwan for the first time, says the trip is a demonstration of the friendship between Taiwan and France and a show of support for the shared values rooted in democracy, freedom, and human rights.