August 29, 2017
No.145
French Senator Cyril Pellevat is leading an eight-member delegation representing the Group of Young Senators to the Republic of China (Taiwan) from August 29 to September 1 at the invitation of the ROC government.
During the visit, the delegation hopes to gain a better understanding of recent developments in Taiwan’s political, social and economic arenas, thereby strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Taiwan and France.
The senators will meet with ROC Vice President Chen Chien-jen and Legislative Yuan President Su Chia-chyuan, and call on the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Science and Technology, Environmental Protection Administration, and Kaohsiung municipal government. The delegation will also attend a luncheon hosted by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chih-Chung Wu, and visit major sites of economic and cultural interest in Taipei and Kaohsiung.
The other members of the Group of Young Senators delegation include Senator Cédric Perrin, Vice President of the Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces; Senator Jean-François Rapin, member of the Standing Committee to Sustainable Development; Senator François Bonhomme and Senator Mathieu Darnaud, members of the Standing Committee for Laws; Senator Claude Kern and Senator Nicole Duranton, members of the Standing Committee for Cultural Affairs; and Senator Philippe Mouiller, member of the Standing Committee for Social Affairs. Except for Senator Cyril Pellevat, the Senators are visiting Taiwan for the first time.
In recent years, Taiwan and France have enjoyed close exchanges and cooperation in such areas as trade, science and technology, culture, the arts, and aviation. France is Taiwan’s fourth-largest trading partner in Europe and a major cooperation partner in the fields of science and technology. On July 13, 2016, the two sides signed a joint declaration on a youth working holiday program, which was officially launched on August 8. Moreover, on October 10, 2016, direct flights between Taipei and Paris were increased from four times a week to once a day, thereby further promoting bilateral youth and people-to-people exchanges. Taiwan and France will continue to strengthen bilateral relations on this solid foundation. (E)