On November 3, Taoyuan City Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan attended the Chamber of Commerce and Industry France Taiwan (CCIFT) 30th years gala, making him the only Taiwanese mayor speaking at the gala dinner for three consecutive years. In his speech, Mayor Cheng stated that France and Taiwan have enjoyed wonderful connections as a result of the bilateral collaborations in education, business, and technology facilitated by the CCIFT and the French Office in Taipei over the years.
Admiring the French people's romantic imaginations embodied in the CCIFT dinner gala themed at Festival of Lights this year, the mayor stated that the world is a better place because of France introducing the democracy, culture, popular trends, technologies, and gourmet food to us. "As a loyal partner of the CCIFT and the French Office in Taipei, the City of Taoyuan would like to thank all the CCIFT members' support for Taiwan that has paved the way for the deep connections between Taiwan and Europe," the mayor said. In addition to extending his best wishes to the future development of French companies in Taiwan, the mayor also welcomes more French companies to expand their business footprints in Taiwan. "As we wish for the continuous growth of CCIFT membership, Taoyuan also welcomes the members to apply for our Taoyuan Citizen and Affinity Card," added the mayor.
In May 2021, the French Senate unanimously passed the resolution in support of Taiwan's participation in international organizations and called on the French government to offer concrete support for Taiwan's participation in WHA. The mayor expressed his heartfelt thanks to the French support of Taiwan's international participation. "As epidemic control and prevention efforts do not stop at national borders, Taoyuan and Taiwan will hold the defense line against the pandemic and play our role in the international community," said Mayor Cheng.
The mayor stated that France is Taiwan's important trading partner in Europe. He added, "In addition to Airbus SE, Decathlon, Carrefour, Alteo, Air Liquide, ID Logistics, and Bolloré Logistics, many French companies also chose to invest in Taoyuan such as wine importers and food companies."
Director-General Yen Tzu-chieh of Taoyuan City Government Secretariat pointed out that Taoyuan has longstanding connections with the French Office in Taipei and the CCIFT and enjoys frequent exchanges with its French sister city Grenoble-Alpes Metropole (Grenoble). "Earlier this year, we invited President Christoph Ferrari of Grenoble to attend a webinar with us to exchange opinions in pandemic control and prevention, post-pandemic economic stimulus measures, and future collaborations," the director-general stated, "we hope to continue the multifaceted exchanges in sustainability, technology, innovation, education, and sports between Taoyuan and France."