New Representative to France Hao Pei-chih (郝培芝) said she would open up more space on the international stage through economic, trade and technology diplomacy based on the foundation laid by her predecessor, Francois Wu (吳志中).
Hao, the nation’s first female representative to France, made the remarks in a media interview on Sunday on the sidelines of an event organized by the Overseas Community Affairs Council.
The former head of the Civil Service Protection and Training Commission assumed her new position on Sept. 1 to fill the vacancy left by Wu, who became deputy minister of foreign affairs last month.
Photo: CNA
Hao said she was feeling a lot of pressure starting the new job, but later found great support from the compatriot communities and colleagues at the representative office in France.
Lauding Wu for having achieved several significant breakthroughs between Taiwan and France, as well as his mastery of French in mainstream media appearances, Hao said her predecessor had elevated Taiwan’s visibility in French society during his tenure.
“Now everyone knows Taiwan and has a very positive perception of Taiwan,” she said.
“Ambassador Wu has set a high threshold. He is a legend and a ceiling. He has performed so well that anyone who follows him will have difficulty” reaching the threshold, she said.
As his successor, Hao said she would continue to expand the room for Taiwan in the diplomatic arena.
Asked about the future direction she will take in promoting Franco-Taiwanese relations, Hao said she would further promote “economic, trade and technological diplomacy.”
While all aspects of France and China are based on diplomatic relations, France knows that Taiwan is an important cooperative partner and it has adopted a “parallel treatment” policy and attitude in many areas toward the two sides across the Taiwan Strait, she said.
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