The 29th Taiwan–France Cultural Award ceremony was held on the evening of September 14 (local time) in the Grand Assembly Hall of the Académie française in Paris. Hsi-Deh Wu, Honorary Professor of Tamkang University's Department of French (now the French Section of the Department of European Languages), received the prestigious honor in recognition of his longstanding contributions to French language education, literary translation, publishing, and the promotion of cultural exchanges between Taiwan and the French-speaking world. Taiwan's Minister of Culture, Yuan Li, also traveled to Paris to attend the ceremony. In his remarks, he emphasized that art offers Taiwan the shortest path to the world, and that freedom and humanistic values form the core principles that Taiwan shares with the international community.

An alumnus of Tamkang University, Wu pursued further studies in France for six years after graduation before returning to Taiwan. In 1986, he returned to his alma mater to begin his teaching career. He subsequently served as Chair of the Department of French and Dean of the College of Foreign Languages and Literatures. Over his 35-year teaching career, he educated nearly 4,000 students. Beyond teaching, Wu actively established the Taiwan Association of French Translators, organized the inaugural World French Language Day, and founded a French Translation Award. These contributions not only laid a strong foundation for French language learners in Taiwan but also introduced diverse French perspectives in the humanities and social sciences to Taiwanese society.

During the ceremony, Wu quoted the renowned thinker and cultural critic Walter Benjamin, stating, "Translation is a form of rebirth," and emphasized that the work of translators closely resembles that of artists and philosophers. Recalling his days studying in Paris in the 1980s, Wu described how Taiwan was still under martial law at the time. Despite encouragement from friends and relatives to remain in France, he firmly believed that "My homeland needs me," and resolutely returned to Taiwan. He explained that France had given him a key to knowledge, and he therefore felt a responsibility and obligation to return home and "pass that key on to more people."

Addressing the widely discussed issue of AI translation in the digital age, Wu offered his distinctive perspective, acknowledging that "AI is a good thing" because it can significantly reduce the time translators spend verifying information and conducting basic research. However, he firmly emphasized that "AI cannot replace professional translators." While AI can offer suggestions and assistance, truly refined and culturally nuanced translations still depend on translators' extensive reading, firsthand experiences of living in different countries, and profound understanding of diverse cultures. He further encouraged young translators to immerse themselves in foreign societies and cultures, stressing that translators with rich life experiences and sound professional judgment will become even more irreplaceable in the age of AI.

Faculty members and students of Tamkang University's Department of European Languages expressed immense pride upon seeing their former professor receive the prestigious award in the Grand Assembly Hall of the Académie Française in Paris through media coverage. Ching-Kuo Chang, Dean of the College of Foreign Languages and Literatures and Chair of the Department of European Languages, remarked, "Beyond feeling happy for him, I was also deeply moved." He described Wu as "someone who began his journey in Taiwan, pursued his studies in France, and eventually returned home to pass on the knowledge and culture he had acquired in France, little by little, to the next generation in Taiwan." Reflecting on Wu's recognition by both Taiwan and France, Chang concluded, "I believe this is perhaps the most meaningful recognition an educator could ever receive."