French Director Pang Weide Highlights Deep Taiwan Ties, Expands Cooperation Beyond Semiconductors

France’s representative office in Taiwan has welcomed a new director, Pang Weide, who recently arrived on the island to assume his post. In a subsequent public address, Pang expressed a profound affection for and sharp observations about Taiwan’s social development. He remarked that his relationship with Taiwan feels almost fated, noting a “destined cycle that brings him to serve Taiwan every decade.” Drawing on his multiple postings in Taiwan, Pang has witnessed the island’s transformation from past to present, praising Taiwan not only for becoming a global semiconductor powerhouse but also for its achievements in democratic political reform and social progress, which he says have made Taiwan one of the most free and open societies in the world. He emphasized that Taiwan’s struggle and development story is precious and worthy of collective preservation by the Taiwanese people and the international community.

While the global spotlight remains heavily on semiconductor supply chains, Pang highlighted that the cooperation potential and tangible benefits between France and Taiwan far exceed the semiconductor sector. He noted that technology has long been a highly competitive and robust pillar of France’s overall economy, and that the two sides possess vast opportunities for collaboration on the foundations of technological innovation. This stance underscores the multi‑dimensional nature of Franco‑Taiwanese relations and dispels the stereotype that the two countries interact only through single high‑tech projects. In recent years, exchanges between Taiwan and European nations have already expanded from trade to technology, culture, education, and even the sharing of democratic values. As a core member of the European Union, France’s representative office in Taiwan, through Pang’s remarks, lays a more solid and comprehensive tone for the deepening of future Franco‑Taiwanese relations.

Reviewing recent years, bilateral interactions between the two sides have shown a steady warming trend across various fields. As the global geopolitical landscape shifts rapidly, European countries have markedly increased their strategic focus on the Indo‑Pacific region, and Taiwan, as a key hub for safeguarding regional democracy, freedom, and supply‑chain security, has seen its strategic value rise. France has been actively promoting its Indo‑Pacific strategy, emphasizing freedom of navigation and multilateralism, and has repeatedly expressed concern for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait in various international forums. With Pang at the helm of France’s representative office in Taiwan, his familiarity with Taiwanese society and deep ties are expected to further advance substantive exchanges and dialogue between the two sides in trade, technology, culture, and other areas, building on the already strong foundation.

Beyond semiconductors and traditional technology industries, Taiwan and France are actively seeking joint opportunities in many forward‑looking domains. In green energy, net‑zero carbon emissions, smart cities, and biomedical technology, both sides face similar global challenges and transformation needs. France possesses world‑leading expertise in basic scientific research, aerospace technology, and green‑energy transition, while Taiwan boasts strong industrial capacity, agile manufacturing advantages, and a robust information‑communication infrastructure. If the two sides can combine French R&D strengths with Taiwan’s industrial chain advantages, they can create greater added value for both economies and jointly contribute to addressing global challenges—an embodiment of the best practice of “cooperation benefits beyond semiconductors” that Pang emphasized.

Taiwan’s visibility in the international community continues to grow, representing the Taiwanese people’s steadfast commitment to democracy, freedom, and rule of law, as well as their indispensable role in global supply chains. Pang’s appointment and his public remarks not only demonstrate the French diplomat’s genuine appreciation for Taiwan’s development but also inject new vitality and optimism into future Franco‑Taiwanese bilateral relations. From historical roots to future cooperation visions, the two sides are moving toward a closer and more reciprocal partnership. In an uncertain international environment, partners with aligned values deepen cooperation, which aligns with both parties’ core interests and has a positive and far‑reaching significance for maintaining regional and global prosperity and stability. Source: Central News Agency.