Legislative Delegation Returns to Taiwan After Concluding Parliamentary Diplomacy in France and UK; Han Kuo-yu Calls it a 'Fruitful' Trip

(CNA, Taoyuan Airport, 17th) Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu, leading a cross-party delegation of lawmakers to promote parliamentary diplomacy in France and the UK, returned by plane this afternoon. He stated that the trip was fruitful in terms of speaker-to-speaker meetings, lawmaker-to-lawmaker exchanges, discussions with national strategic think tanks, and engagement with overseas compatriots. The delegation of 20 arrived at Taoyuan International Airport at 5:22 PM on a China Airlines flight. Legislative Yuan Vice President Johnny Chiang and Secretary-General Chou Wan-lai were there to welcome them. In a media interview, Han Kuo-yu said that the visit, at the invitation of parliamentary friendship groups in the UK and France, was highly effective and fruitful. Han pointed out that at the speaker-to-speaker level, they had direct meetings with the President of the French Senate and the Speaker of the British House of Commons, which could be publicly announced. For meetings with some sensitive figures who preferred privacy, the delegation fully respected their wishes. The talks were very amicable and represent a major breakthrough for Taiwan's future diplomatic work in the UK and France. At the lawmaker-to-lawmaker level, the delegation built very cordial friendships and exchanged experiences with members of the French and British parliamentary friendship groups. This lawmaker-to-lawmaker interaction was an unprecedented success, and French and British MPs have promised to visit Taiwan soon, with the first group expected in late May. Han noted that national strategic think tanks in France and the UK also exchanged views with the delegation's members. They were particularly concerned about issues such as military procurement and the impact of a potential meeting between US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Taiwan and Northeast Asia. The delegation's members, regardless of party affiliation, frankly shared their views with the think tanks. It is believed that the content and material from these reports will have some degree of influence on the future of the Taiwan Strait and Northeast Asia. Han said that many overseas compatriots in Europe participated, feeling, as a Taiwanese saying goes, that "family has come from the homeland." They were exceptionally enthusiastic. Seeing these compatriots, like seeds, take root, grow, and even blossom and bear fruit through hard work in a foreign land, he expressed his admiration and hoped they would consider the delegation as family and visit Taiwan more often. "No matter where we are, at home or abroad, we must never forget that we are all family, we are all Taiwanese." Han stated that the work of parliamentary diplomacy will clearly remain very important, and everyone will continue to work hard together. Han led the delegation from the 9th to the 17th to promote parliamentary diplomacy in France and the UK. The delegation included cross-party lawmakers from the DPP, KMT, and TPP. In addition to hosting banquets for Taiwanese business people and expatriate representatives in France and the UK to express gratitude, they also attended a dinner of the European Federation of Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce (ETCC) and the 32nd General Assembly of the ETCC. (Editor: Lee Shu-hua) 1150517