The Presidential Office on Thursday received two high-profile visitors from France and Australia. One of them was Alain Richard, the chairman of the French Senate’s Taiwan Friendship Group, who flew to Taiwan despite protests from China. The other was former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who recently voiced support for Taiwan’s bid to join an international trade bloc.
President Tsai Ing-wen presents an Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon to the head of the French Senate’s Taiwan Friendship Group, Alain Richard. It’s the senator’s third visit to Taiwan. Tsai thanked him for his work toward deepening Taiwan-France relations.
Tsai Ing-wen
President
Thinking back on the things that Chairman Richard has done for Taiwan, I must say, he is a pioneer for Taiwan-France relations, constantly opening new horizons in bilateral exchanges. Your visit this time around, it’s as if part of our family in France were back to see us. We welcome you once again.
Alain Richard
French Senate Taiwan Friendship Group
We, like many other countries in the world, support Taiwan. This is because Taiwan has made huge contributions in many fields.
Richard is currently a senator with France’s ruling party, and has almost 30 years of experience in the government. He previously served as minister of defense from 1997 to 2002, and since 2015, he’s headed the French Senate’s Taiwan Friendship Group. This May the French senate unanimously voted 304 to 0 to pass a resolution backing Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. It was the first pro-Taiwan resolution passed by the country. And now, Richard is in Taiwan at the head of a delegation, without regard to China’s opposition. And he’s not the only Taiwan supporter to visit.
Tony Abbott
Former Australian prime minister
And of course, you’ve managed to do this, despite your isolation from many international bodies, including the WHO. It is in large measure to try to help to end this isolation from which Taiwan has been suffering for so many decades.
It’s former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who recently spoke up in support of Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership. This is Abbott’s first visit to Taiwan. During his reception at the Presidential Office, he stressed how Taiwan’s participation in the trade bloc would draw more attention to democratic values. He also praised Taiwan for being an example to the world.
Tony Abbott
Former Australian prime minister
Not everyone and not everywhere is pleased at Taiwan’s progress. And I do note that Taiwan is challenged on an almost daily basis by its giant neighbor. It’s more important than ever under such circumstances that your fellow democracies stand shoulder to shoulder with you.
High-profile guests coming to Taiwan just ahead of National Day on Sunday shows its support internationally.
