Taipei:Deputy Foreign Minister François Chih-chung Wu hosted a dinner banquet for a delegation from Mayotte, an overseas department and region of France, on November 9 in Taipei City. The event marked a significant step in strengthening the relations between Taiwan and Mayotte, located off the coast of eastern Africa.

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of China, the 11-member delegation was led by Thani Mohamed Soilihi, a member of the French Senate, and was in Taiwan from November 5 to 10. Wu expressed gratitude to Senator Soilihi for his continued support of Taiwan and efforts to bolster Taiwan-Mayotte relations. He reminisced about his first visit to Mayotte in July, commending the hospitality received from the senator and the local populace.

The deputy minister noted the importance of the delegation's reciprocal visit, emphasizing the mutual interest in advancing the bilateral relationship. Wu anticipated ongoing cooperation in areas such as the circular economy, agricultural and forestry technologies, digital innovation, and tourism.

Senator Soilihi, in response, thanked Taiwan for its invitation and hospitality. He highlighted the similarities between Mayotte and Taiwan despite the geographical distance, viewing reciprocal visits as a means to foster more opportunities for exchange and cooperation. The senator pointed out the shared island cultures and challenges, such as water resource management, climate change, and tourism transition, especially highlighted by their visit to Penghu. He expressed hope for continued exchanges and shared experiences to promote sustainable development collaboratively.