President Tsai Ing-wen informed senior French and Australian officials that Taiwan will safeguard regional peace and stability and aims to collaborate with other like-minded democracies just days after tensions with China reached new heights.
The visits by four French senators and former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott came after four days of massed Chinese air force intrusions into Taiwan's air defense zone, which Washington and its allies have expressed alarm about.
In the face of mounting military and political pressure from China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, Taiwan has sought assistance from other democracies, particularly the United States and its allies.
Tsai commended France for its concern about the situation in the Taiwan Strait and support for Taiwan's international participation in a speech to French senators led by former defense minister Alain Richard at the presidential office.
"We will continue to carry out our responsibilities as members of the international community to ensure the Indo-Pacific region's peace and stability. Along with France, we aspire to make greater contributions to the globe "she continued.
In remarks broadcast live on the presidential office's Facebook page, Richard talked about Taiwan's "essential contribution of Taiwan in the important field of human progress." Still, he didn't mention the escalating military tensions with China.
Later, Tsai delivered a similar message to Abbott. The latter informed her he was in Taiwan to assist in ending the country's international isolation, complimenting Taiwan's democracy and management of the Covid-19 outbreak.
"Of course, not everyone and everywhere is pleased with Taiwan's progress," Abbott remarked. "I do note, however, that Taiwan is challenged on an almost daily basis by its giant neighbor."
"Very moved" after the French visit.
On Wednesday, the French senators came to Taiwan despite China's strong opposition, which is often irritated by foreign officials' trips.
Richard, the Taiwan Friendship Group president in the French Senate, served as France's defense minister from 1997 to 2002 under President Jacques Chirac.
Tsai stated that Taiwan was "very moved" by Richard's decision to visit, despite what she called "pressure" from China.
The Chinese embassy in Paris issued a warning against politicians meeting with Taiwanese officials in March, triggering a rebuke from the French foreign ministry, which stated that French senators are free to meet with whoever they like when traveling.
Tsai made no public comments about the recent Chinese air force activity during her discussions with senators or Abbott.
Taipei condemns Beijing's actions.
Unlike the majority of countries, neither France nor Australia has formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Separately, Taiwan's foreign ministry said it would closely monitor a scheduled meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the US serving as Taiwan's most significant ally.
"We will continue to coordinate closely with the United States in Taipei and Washington to ensure that US policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged," said Joan nie Ou, a ministry spokesman.
Taiwan's government has condemned China's actions against the island, stating that the island's freedom and democracy will be defended and that only Taiwan's people can decide the island's fate.
