François Chihchung Wu
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of China (Taiwan)
August 5, 2025
(As Prepared for Delivery)
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen:
Bonjour, good afternoon!
It is a great privilege to introduce our keynote speaker for this afternoon’s session, the Honorable François de Rugy. He is an exceptional leader, a dedicated advocate for Taiwan–France relations, and a personal friend, un ami auquel je tiens beaucoup!
During my six years serving as Taiwan’s Ambassador to France, I had the honor of witnessing first-hand François’s outstanding leadership and his unwavering support for democratic values. As Ministre d’Etat, Minister of State, number 2 in the French government, he received then–Minister 龔明鑫 of Taiwan’s National Development Council — the first time a French Minister of State welcomed a Taiwanese ministerial-level official in his ministry — a gesture that spoke volumes about his friendship and support for democratic Taiwan. François has also served as President of the National Assembly and multiple terms as a member of parliament, these experiences have made him a strong and respected voice for reform and progress, not only in France, but also around the world -- and very much here in Taiwan!
As a friend of Taiwan, François has played a vital role in strengthening the partnership between our two nations. He first visited Taiwan in 2016 during his tenure as Vice President of the National Assembly, marking the beginning of a deep and lasting engagement. In 2020, he became Chairman of the National Assembly’s France–Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, working tirelessly to foster closer relations. Thanks to his leadership, in 2021 the French National Assembly overwhelmingly passed its first-ever resolution supporting Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. Later that year, François returned to Taiwan to further solidify our ties.
Today, François will draw on years of experience to analyze the current geopolitical landscape and explore strategies to address global challenges. I am confident that his insights will help us navigate the complexities ahead and advance our shared vision.
And now, please join me in giving a warm welcome to the Honorable François de Rugy — a true friend of Team Taiwan and Team Freedom. François, sachez que ton amitié compte beaucoup pour nous. Merci!