A group of French parliamentarians came to Taiwan on Wednesday, the latest example of growing Western backing for Taipei’s right to exist in the international arena, despite Beijing’s warnings.
It is the second time a French delegation has visited the island this year, and it is the latest in a string of missions by European and American lawmakers that have enraged China. According to Taipei’s foreign ministry, a six-member delegation from the French National Assembly, led by Francois de Rugy, will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen and other key officials before departing on Sunday.
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China criticised a visit to Taiwan by a team of French senators led by Alain Richard in October, accusing the mission of damaging Paris-Beijing ties. Despite China’s warnings, Richard’s group made the trip, and he referred to Taiwan as a “nation” several times throughout his visit.
On Wednesday, China’s foreign ministry criticised the latest French visit, saying “relevant parties should… stop sending false signals to Taiwan independence separatist forces”.
China firmly opposes any official and political exchanges between Taiwan and other countries, said spokesman Zhao Lijian. Beijing claims self-ruled, democratic Taiwan as part of its territory to be retaken one day, by force if necessary. It has tried to keep Taiwan isolated on the world stage and seethes at the official use of the name Taiwan or any reference to it as a country.
Since Tsai’s 2016 election win, Beijing has ramped up pressure on Taiwan and has aggressively tried to dissuade politicians from visiting. China conducted military drills near the Taiwan Strait following a visit by a group of American lawmakers last month.
Taiwan’s defence minister has warned that military tensions between the island and China were at their highest in four decades after around 150 Chinese warplanes—a record number—made incursions into Taiwan’s air defence zone in October.