France’s representative office in Taipei is to set up a condolence book that people can sign in tribute to those killed in an apparent terrorist attack at the office of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris last week.
The book is to be placed at the office from today through Wednesday, the French representative office said on its Web site.
The office has also set up a platform on its Web site where visitors can leave condolence messages to the victims’ families or other messages inspired by the slogan: Je suis Charlie (“I am Charlie”), a symbolic declaration to support freedom of expression.
On Friday last week, French nationals living in Taipei and Greater Kaohsiung organized silent vigils to pay tribute to the victims and stand up for the freedom of expression, Taipei organizer Pierre-Yves Baubry said.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday that people planning to travel to Paris are reminded to heed their safety when they visit public places or highly populated locations.
Ministry spokeswoman Anna Kao (高安) said the ministry still maintains its France travel alert at “gray,” meaning that travelers are reminded about the potential danger in traveling in the nation.
The ministry is set to keep in contact with the nation’s representative office in France, which is closely monitoring the situation in Paris, she added.
Taiwanese travelers and expatriates in France are advised to pay close attention to relevant news. Taiwanese seeking emergency assistance can call the representative office in France at 0680-074-994.
XO Tour chairman Hsiao Chi-yang (蕭志洋) said the series of terrorist attacks would definitely affect the people’s interests in traveling to France.
“Winter is not a high season for tourists, and many travel agencies have offered discount deals to attract people,” he said, adding that young people are more likely to join winter tours in Europe.
He said that most travelers focus on tourist attractions near Paris.
Because the ministry has yet to elevate its travel alert, Hsiao said that the travel agency could face a scenario in which half of a group decide to cancel their reservations amid escalating tension in Paris, but the other half keep theirs.
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