French Envoy Defends Taiwan Strait Patrols as Upholding Law of the Sea
TAIPEI, Feb 5 (Reuters) – Foreign naval missions through the Taiwan Strait are conducted to affirm the principles of international maritime law and ensure freedom of navigation, France's senior diplomat in Taipei stated on Thursday, framing the operations as a routine defense of global norms rather than targeted provocations.
Beijing, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan, considers the strategic strait part of its territorial waters and has repeatedly condemned foreign military passages. The narrow seaway is a vital global trade artery, with billions of dollars in goods transiting annually.
"Our naval deployments are carefully calibrated to operate in international waters, consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," said Franck Paris, Director of the French Office in Taipei. "The objective is to reinforce that these waters are governed by international law, and must remain so."
Paris, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) nations, noted that consensus among leading democracies on the issue has solidified. U.S. warships conduct regular transits, joined periodically by allies including France, Britain, Australia, and Canada.
"It is now standard for G7 communiqués to emphasize preserving the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and rejecting any unilateral change by force," Paris explained. He highlighted a coordinated diplomatic and naval posture among partners, referencing past missions by Canadian and Dutch vessels.
Taiwan's government, which maintains that it is already a sovereign state, welcomes such passages as demonstrations of international support for a free and open Indo-Pacific. In contrast, China's People's Liberation Army maintains a near-constant presence in the area, which Taipei describes as a campaign of military intimidation.
While France, like most nations, maintains formal diplomatic relations with Beijing rather than Taipei, it views Taiwan as an important economic and democratic partner. In the 1990s, France sold Mirage fighter jets and Lafayette-class frigates to Taiwan, and French firms continue to provide maintenance and parts for this equipment.
"These defense assets remain in service today, and our technical cooperation continues within a longstanding, stable framework," Paris said, underscoring a continuity in policy that he stated "has not been questioned for years."
Analyst & Public Reaction:
Dr. Evelyn Shaw, Senior Fellow at the Global Maritime Security Institute: "Paris's comments reflect a deliberate strategy of normalization. By consistently framing these transits as lawful and routine, the G7 aims to desensitize the geopolitical tension and establish a persistent precedent that counters excessive maritime claims."
Mark Chen, small business owner in Taipei: "It's reassuring to hear our international friends speak so clearly. This isn't about picking sides in a conflict; it's about ensuring the sea lanes that our economy depends on remain open and safe for everyone. The principle matters."
Professor James Koh, political scientist at National University: "The French position is strategically ambiguous and potentially risky. While couched in legal language, these transits are undeniably symbolic gestures that Beijing interprets as support for Taipei. This careful choreography could easily stumble into a direct confrontation if miscalculated."
Li Wei, commentator for a nationalist online forum (posted reaction sharply): "This is pure hypocrisy and a blatant violation of China's sovereignty! Western powers hide behind 'international law' they themselves often ignore, just to meddle in Asia and contain China's rise. Every warship they send is a deliberate insult and a threat to regional peace."