Czech Senate President Pushes for Action to Strengthen Taiwan-Taiwan Ties
In an exclusive interview with CNA, Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil emphasized that “just visiting each other is not enough” and called for tangible actions to deepen Taiwan and the Czech Republic’s bilateral relationship.
“People are now expecting to see concrete results,” said Vystrčil, pointing to key areas such as investment projects, direct flights between Prague and Taipei, university exchanges, and security cooperation as critical steps to solidify the partnership.
Growing Trust Between Taiwan and the Czech Republic
Vystrčil, who has held the position since 2020, noted that mutual trust and understanding between Taiwan and the Czech Republic are growing stronger. “We’ve already established a strong foundation of friendship and trust, and now it’s time for the next phase, which is creating real results,” he said during the interview held on November 28 in Prague.
Vystrčil’s visit to Taiwan in 2020 marked a historic moment as he became the first sitting leader of a country without formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan to address Taiwan’s Legislature. His speech, echoing former U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s “Ich bin ein Berliner,” declared “I am a Taiwanese” in a powerful message of solidarity.
Challenges Faced in Strengthening Relations
During his visit, Vystrčil recalled facing intense pressure from Beijing, which strongly opposed his trip to Taiwan. Despite efforts by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs and warnings from China’s diplomatic channels, Vystrčil stood firm, calling the pressure “unacceptable.”
His support from democratic countries, including the United States, France, and Germany, helped solidify his position. Reflecting on his 2020 visit, Vystrčil expressed admiration for Taiwan’s remarkable landmarks, particularly Taipei 101, which he called “an incredible engineering marvel demonstrating Taiwan’s innovative spirit.”
Building a Tangible Taiwan-Czech Cooperation
Vystrčil highlighted the importance of making tangible progress in strengthening the ties between the two nations, suggesting that business, education, and medical collaboration were vital areas for future cooperation.
“We need to begin building something together because simple visits are not enough,” he emphasized. Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, Taiwan and the Czech Republic have deepened their exchanges, with Taiwanese and Czech politicians frequently visiting each other’s countries. In the latest developments, a Czech parliamentary delegation met with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te during a four-day visit to the island.
While Vystrčil expressed an interest in visiting Taiwan again, he noted that no specific date had been set. However, he was adamant about ensuring that the relationship continues to grow through concrete action rather than symbolic gestures.
Table of Key Areas for Strengthening Taiwan-Czech Relations
| Area of Cooperation | Potential Actions |
|---|---|
| Business | Investment projects and collaborations between Czech and Taiwanese businesses |
| Education | Increased academic exchanges and joint research efforts between universities |
| Science and Medicine | Collaborative medical research, especially in areas like health technology |
| Security Cooperation | Joint defense initiatives and knowledge exchange to ensure regional stability |
| Transport | Increased flight connectivity between Prague and Taipei, boosting tourism and trade |
FAQs:
- Why is the Czech Senate President focusing on Taiwan? Vystrčil has emphasized the importance of Taiwan’s democratic values and resilience, which resonate with Czech history, particularly during the Cold War.
- What concrete actions has Vystrčil proposed for Taiwan-Czech cooperation? Vystrčil suggests focusing on investment projects, university exchanges, direct flights, and security cooperation to foster stronger bilateral ties.
- How did Vystrčil’s 2020 visit to Taiwan affect relations? Vystrčil’s visit was a significant move, marking the first time a sitting leader from a non-diplomatic country addressed Taiwan’s legislature, solidifying Taiwan-Czech relations despite opposition from Beijing.
- Are there plans for future visits from Czech officials to Taiwan? Vystrčil has expressed interest in visiting Taiwan again but has not yet confirmed a date for his next visit.
