Taiwan president meets French lawmakers in Taipei

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met with a group of six lawmakers from the French National Assembly on Thursday in Taipei.

During the meeting, Tsai expressed hopes that Taiwan and the European Union would deepen their ties under the forthcoming French presidency of the 27-member bloc.

She said she hoped the EU would "keep on promoting the signing of both sides' bilateral investment agreements."

François de Rugy, head of the Taiwan friendship group in the National Assembly, the lower house of France's Parliament, was leading the delegation's five-day visit.

De Rugy said the French National Assembly was encouraging a "constructive regional dialogue" in order to restore peace and dialogue over the Taiwan Strait.

He added that he hoped France and the island could boost cooperation on the economy, renewable energy and the semiconductor industry.

China claims Taiwan as part of its national territory and says the self-ruled island democracy should not have official government exchanges with other countries.

Taiwan, however, has been stepping up exchanges with countries that don't officially recognize it as a country.

IMAGE: AP