Interview with French Envoy to Taiwan Franck Paris
Interview with French Envoy to Taiwan Franck Paris
2023-11-29
Today we take you to meet the new French representative to Taiwan, Franck Paris. Prior to assuming office in August, he was a foreign policy adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron. Since coming to Taiwan, he’s been working on strengthening cultural and scientific bilateral ties. Paris emphasized that Taiwan is an inspiration to many countries around the world. FTV reporter Stephany Yang spoke to Paris to find out more about his goals during his tenure.
French envoy to Taiwan Franck Paris greets us warmly. His Mandarin name is Lung Yeh. He chose this name because it combines the dragon, his Chinese zodiac, with the concept of light. Paris assumed his post as French representative to Taiwan in August.
Franck Paris
French representative to Taiwan
I wanted to have something rooted in Asian culture. That means a lot for me. Also, Yeh because I wanted something connected with my name in French which is Paris, the name of the French capital. I picked up Yeh because it means light. Paris is known as the city of lights. City of lights because Paris is supposed to be and we are proud to be the capital of human rights. Here, to pick up the signal for human rights, it has meaning for me too.
Previously, Paris served as a foreign policy adviser on Africa to French President Emmanuel Macron. In August, France passed the seven-year Military Programming Law, becoming the first country in the world to pass legislation to protect the right to freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait. Paris emphasized that Taiwan is crucial to the international community and that maintaining peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region and the Taiwan Strait is one of his priorities. He said Taiwan’s democracy is an inspiration to many countries.
Franck Paris
French representative to Taiwan
Of course, we spoke together (with President Emmanuel Macron) and I also had the opportunity to talk with my colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who are my direct boss. They were all very happy for me to come in such a strategic place. They all have a keen interest about my mission here. Taiwan matters for France. It matters for the French president, it matters for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It matters for France as a whole. We have a keen interest for Taiwan. We have a keen interest to partner with Taiwan. The level of interest of appetite for Taiwan in France and Europe is unprecedented because the experience of democracy in Taiwan impressed a lot of people. What is going on in Taiwan regarding all the promotion of human rights, the protection of minorities is also an inspiration for a lot of people. Of course, Taiwan’s success in some areas of the economy is also an interest for us. Of course, we have a keen interest for the stability of the region.
Paris says that strengthening cultural, academic, economic and trade, and scientific exchanges between Taiwan and France is another priority during his tenure. In November, he organized La Nuit des Idees or Night of Ideas, an annual global celebration of sharing of ideas and knowledge in Taipei. He hopes that more students will choose to study in France. He also emphasized the importance of promoting Europe in Taiwan.
Franck Paris
French representative to Taiwan
First, I will continue the excellent work which has been done by my predecessors here. I think France has been very active over the last years in promoting all kinds of partnerships between France and Taiwan, especially on culture, where I think we are one of the leading partners of Taiwan on culture. But, what I would like to focus upon is I think put more of Europe on the map of my Taiwanese apparatus. I still have homework to do to put France on the map of our Taiwanese friends. I think France enjoys a pretty positive image here but it is an image connected to culture, romance, fashion. We are more than that. We are also a scientific country.
Taiwan is said to be one of the most dangerous places in the world today. But Paris says his first impression of Taiwan is that Taiwan is the "most welcoming place in the world.”
Franck Paris
French representative to Taiwan
My first, my gut impression is to be in one of the most welcoming place in the world. That was my first impression. I think that being in a place where a lot happens and where we discuss challenges that are common. I think it doesn’t make it dangerous. It makes it strategic for everyone. This is the feeling I have. Not being here in danger, but being in a place where we are at an important moment of history. And where what happens will have consequences for all of us. There is no language barrier, there is no cultural barrier, and you feel welcome and you feel at home. That is something very special here.
Despite the challenges ahead, he is undaunted. Taiwan is the representative’s first post in Asia. Paris says he’s eager to boost the ties between Taiwan and France and also to immerse himself in his new home.
For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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新任法國駐台代表龍燁 盼強化台法交流
2023-11-29
今天帶大家來認識新任法國駐台代表龍燁。在八月上任之前，他是法國總統馬克宏非洲事務顧問。來到台灣後，他致力於台法雙邊文化和科學交流。法國在台協會代表龍燁在專訪強調，台灣對世界許多國家都是一種啟發。
鏡頭前，向大家問好，他是法國在台協會代表。中文名字龍燁，是因為屬龍，以及燁這個字有"光"的意涵。他8月時上任。
[[法國在台協會代表 龍燁]]
"我想要一些屬於亞洲文化的東西，這對我來說意義重大。另外，因為我想要取和我法文名字有關的，也就是巴黎，法國首都的名字，我選了"燁"，代表光。巴黎被譽為「光之城」。巴黎理應成為光之城，我們是人權之都，並為此感到自豪。在這裡，接收到人權的信號，對我來說也很有意義。"
龍燁曾擔任法國總統馬克宏非洲事務顧問。8月，法國通過「七年建軍法」，成為世界上第一個將台海和平納入立法內容的國家。龍燁強調，台灣對國際社會非常重要，維護印太地區和台海的和平與穩定是他的首要任務之一。他說，台灣的民主鼓舞了許多國家。
[[法國在台協會代表 龍燁]]
"當然，我們（與馬克宏總統）會談，也包括我外交部的長官，他們都很高興我來到一個戰略要地，他們都對我在這裡的使命很感興趣。台灣對法國很重要，不論是對法國總統，或對法國外交部，對整個法國都很重要。我們對台灣有濃厚的興趣，我們希望能與台灣合作。法國和歐洲對台灣的關注是前所未有的，因為台灣的民主經驗給許多人留下了深刻的印象。關於台灣在人權、少數族群保障上，也對許多人有啟發。台灣在某些經濟領域的成功也是我們感興趣的。當然，我們對該地區的穩定非常感興趣。"
龍燁表示，加強台法文化、學術、經貿、科技交流，是他任內的另一個重點。11 月，他在台北主辦了La Nuit des Idees”思辨之夜”，他希望有更多的學生選擇到法國留學，他也強調了在台灣推廣歐洲的重要性。
[[法國在台協會代表 龍燁]]
"首先，我將延續前任代表們留下豐碩的成果。我認為法國在過去幾年一直非常積極地促進法國與台灣之間的各種夥伴關係，特別是在文化方面，我認為我們是台灣在文化方面的主要合作夥伴之一。但是，我想進一步讓台灣更熟悉歐洲，還有很多努力的空間，讓台灣朋友更認識法國。我認為法國在這裡有非常正面的形象，但往往是與文化、浪漫、時尚相關的形象，其實我們不僅如此，我們也是一個科學國家。"
有人說台灣是現今世界上最危險的地方之一，但龍燁表示，他對台灣的第一印象是台灣是「世界上最熱情好客的地方」。
[[法國在台協會代表 龍燁]]
"我對台灣的第一印象是世界上最熱情的地方之一。儘管這裡因為很多原因而被認為是有挑戰的地方，但我不覺得會因此變得危機四伏。這就是我的感受。我們並不是處於危險之中，而是處於歷史的重要時刻，發生的事情將對我們所有人產生影響。沒有語言障礙，沒有文化障礙，您會感到賓至如歸。這是這裡非常特別的事情。"
儘管前途可能充滿挑戰，但他毫不畏懼。台灣是龍燁在亞洲的第一個外派國家。他期盼加強台灣與法國的關係，同時融入這個新家。
更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週日至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00
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