French senators arrive in Taiwan amid tensions with China

By HUIZHONG WU
Associated Press

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A group of French senators has arrived in Taiwan for a five-day visit following a large Chinese show of force with fighter jets near the self-ruled island, and Beijing warned the trip will hurt its ties with France. The group, led by senator Alain Richard, will meet with Taiwan’s president and other top officials. China tried to discourage the visit, with its embassy in France saying it will not only damage China’s core interests and undermine Chinese-French relations, but will also France’s own interests. China claims Taiwan as its own territory to be reunited by force if necessary. A French analysts says the visit is part of regular parliamentary exchanges between France and Taiwan, which were not politicized in the past.