A visit by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs to Taiwan, an island that China considers to be one of its provinces, is not planned and would be "not appropriate", said Wednesday Catherine Colonna, the head of French diplomacy.
Asked in the Senate about the possibility that she or one of the other ministers of the Quai d'Orsay could go there, she replied: "This is not planned."
'Balanced policy'
China considers Taiwan, with a population of 24 million, to be a province it has yet to reunite with the rest of its territory since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949.
Only a dozen countries diplomatically recognize Taiwan. The France is not one of them. "No, I do not foresee it and I would even add that I do not think it is appropriate," said Catherine Colonna, highlighting the "balanced policy" wanted by the France, "which produces some results".
This is the "best means of action to ensure better respect for international law and a much-needed appeasement" in this region, she added. The minister noted "quality, old and developing" relations with Taiwan. "They are economic, cultural and also parliamentary. But these are not diplomatic relations," she said.
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On the other hand, the France is "in favour of Taiwan's presence in a number of specialized international organizations where its presence has, or would have, added value". "This is the case in my eyes of the WHO", the World Health Organization. But this presence does not mean "recognition as a state," she added.
The France agreed for Taiwan to be "closely associated" with the ongoing 76th WHO Assembly.
