TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — French lawmakers lauded Taiwan’s freedom and democracy at a Lunar New Year banquet hosted by the Taipei Representative Office in France on Tuesday.

Former chair of the Senate’s Taiwan Friendship Group Alain Richard said that bilateral relations would continue to deepen, even on a political level, CNA reported. He pointed out that the French government has recently become more willing to engage in dialogue with the Taiwanese government. He said France is concerned about China’s political propaganda and disinformation campaigns.

Olivier Cadic, vice president of the Senate Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, said the Taiwanese have demonstrated that democracy fosters growth, enabling Taiwan to become one of the world's top 20 economies. 

Cadic said: “In just a few years, Taiwan has become a beacon of freedom. It now embodies the preservation of freedom in the face of threats." He suggested Taiwan make China realize that attacking it would be too costly.

Marie-Noelle Battistel, the chair of the National Assembly’s Taiwan Friendship Group, hoped China would never invade Taiwan. "Such a situation would destabilize the world, so whenever there is an opportunity, we will support Taiwan to help it participate in international events, such as the World Health Assembly," Battistel said.

The politicians’ praises come as French public support for Taiwan increases. In December, a Descartes Foundation poll found that nearly 80% of French believe Taiwan’s future should be decided by the Taiwanese.