France’s representative in Taiwan on Monday said that Taiwan is a safe place and that French nationals need not worry about their safety in the wake of terrorist attacks in their home country, which claimed 17 lives last week.
Bureau Francais de Taipei Director Olivier Richard said that his office kept in close contact with Taiwanese police after the offices of French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo were attacked last Wednesday, leaving 12 dead, while subsequent attacks around the nation claimed five more lives.
The world was shocked by France’s most severe terrorist attacks in nearly 50 years, Richard said.
Last week, Taiwanese joined French nationals at rallies in Taipei and Kaohsiung to remember the victims and denounce terrorism, while a huge march for freedom took place in Paris on Sunday.
The terrorist rampage did not just hurt France, it was also an attack on universal values such as respect for others, freedom of expression, respect for races and democracy, Richard said.
As the incidents were unfolding in his home nation, he said that, according to protocol, he had to contact Taiwan’s police authorities.
However, because Taiwan is a safe place, his office did not issue an alert for French expats here, he said.
“We feel quite relaxed in Taiwan and are not worried,” he said. “Besides, the incident is over. France is returning to normal and I would urge people trying to visit my country not to worry about travel safety.”
The French office on Monday began welcoming people to sign a book of condolences for the victims of the attacks.
Diplomatic envoys from Israel, Austria and Britain were among the first to sign the book.
Officials from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lin (林永樂), have also expressed their condolences for the victims.
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