Visiting French Senator Joël Guerriau gained an appreciation for Keelung and its history Monday after he and his delegation toured the northern port city’s City Expo.
Accompanied by Keelung Mayor Lin Yu-chang (???) and Legislator Tsai Shih-ying (???), Guerriau visited the West Pier Warehouse 2, the main pavilion of this year’s event that is being held across four venues in the city.
While there, the French senator learned about the Keelung Campaign, a military battle undertaken by the French during the Sino-French War in the mid-1880s.
Speaking to reporters through a translator, Guerriau said it was important to understand the past in order to face the future, and he praised the pavilion because it allowed people to explore the city’s history and contemplate what lies ahead.
He said he became fascinated with Keelung through the visit and expressed the hope that he could return in the future to learn more about the city.
Lin said the French visitors were particularly impressed with the historical and archaeological aspects of the expo because of their educational value, especially for the younger generation interested in finding out more about Keelung’s history.
The 2022 City Expo, which will run until June 19, comprises several exhibitions and art installations.
Guerriau, who is vice chairman of the French Senate’s Taiwan Friendship Group and vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and the Armed Forces, is in Taiwan on a six-day trip that began on June 8.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel