The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) stated that a delegation of political figures from French Polynesia visited Taiwan for the first time in nearly 40 years. During a banquet hosted by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Tsai, it was hoped that they could together promote substantial exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan, France, and French Polynesia in order to create a new chapter in bilateral relations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) welcomed the visit of the delegation from French Polynesia, which included Senator Teva Rohfritsch, former Presidents Gaston Tong Sang and Edouard Fritch of the French Polynesian government. The Ministry expressed sincere gratitude for their visit.
Deputy Minister Harry Tsai mentioned that he was pleased to see friends from French Polynesia visiting Taiwan to show their friendship. He hoped that through this visit, the delegation could gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan and enhance the existing cooperation between Taiwan, France, and French Polynesia, thereby opening up new opportunities for bilateral relations.
Deputy Minister Harry Tsai emphasized Taiwan’s crucial position in the global semiconductor supply chain, which is based on industrial cooperation with countries that share similar values such as the Netherlands, France, Germany, the United States, and Japan. He highlighted that the concept of “Made in Taiwan” signifies a partnership for economic prosperity and mutual achievements, expressing Taiwan’s commitment to expanding dialogues and deepening exchanges in various fields with global partners.
Senator Teva Rohfritsch expressed gratitude for the warm reception by the Taiwanese government and pointed out that Taiwan and French Polynesia, both located in the Indo-Pacific region, share the culture of indigenous peoples of the South Seas. He expressed his hopes for expanding cooperation in various areas such as culture, tourism, and fisheries between the two regions.
Senator Teva Rohfritsch mentioned that former Presidents Gaston Tong Sang and Edouard Fritch of the French Polynesian government highly appreciated the vibrant development of civil society in Taiwan. They highlighted the significant Hakka communities in both Taiwan and French Polynesia, witnessing the democratic values of multicultural harmony and cooperation, paving the way for a promising future of collaboration.
During their visit to Taiwan from the 25th to the 30th of this month, the delegation will also meet with the Ministry of Education, Hakka Affairs Council, Council of Indigenous Peoples, Fisheries Research Institute of the Council of Agriculture, International Cooperation and Development Fund, and the Institute of Ethnology of Academia Sinica. They will also visit institutions such as the Ocean Affairs Council, Maritime and Port Bureau, National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, Fisheries Agency of the Council of Agriculture in Kaohsiung, and explore the Paiwan tribe in Sun Moon Lake, Nantou, to deepen their understanding of Taiwan’s indigenous cultures, laying a solid foundation for future exchanges in marine, tourism, and South Seas cultural cooperation between Taiwan and French Polynesia.