By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA
Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil plans to lead a large business delegation to Taiwan in early summer, although his visit could be disrupted by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis’ plans for a state visit to China around the same time, Czech magazine Respekt reported yesterday.
Beijing discourages foreign political visits to Taiwan, while the proposed date for Vystrcil’s visit to Taipei in early June could coincide with the June 4 anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, which could provoke further objection, it said.
Vystrcil is further unsure how he would travel to Taiwan if Babis is authorized by the Czech Ministry of Defense to use government aircraft, it said.
Photo: CNA
The prime minister is trying to keep his travel plans and commandeering of government aircraft out of the spotlight as he tries to build relations and secure business deals with China while also maintaining ties with Taiwan for economic reasons, the report said.
The developments highlight how the new Czech administration is diverging from the priorities of its predecessor, as it is planning two trips to China this year, it added.
Vystrcil, the Czech Republic’s second-highest ranking official, has not visited Taiwan since 2020, when he said “I am Taiwanese” during a speech at the Legislative Yuan.
Following the trip, Taiwan invested US$33 million in research, innovation and advanced technology in the Czech Republic.
His speech also inspired other Western lawmakers to visit Taiwan, the article said, and he has since received multiple invitations to return to Taipei.
“Taiwan has long been a reliable partner. The Czech Republic and Taiwan have more than 30 years of mutually beneficial cooperation, achieving significant results in trade, technological innovation and culture,” Vystrcil said in an interview with Respekt.
Taiwanese companies have created more than 24,000 jobs in the Czech Republic, he said, as Taiwan has become an “indispensable player in the global semiconductor industry.”
He added that Taiwan has made great progress in defense, providing an important opportunity for Europe to tighten its own security.
Vystrcil told the magazine he plans to lead a large business delegation, possibly in early June, to strengthen cooperation between universities and research institutions.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining democratic partnerships, particularly as both the Czech Republic and Taiwan have experienced oppression under authoritarian regimes and understand the effort and sacrifice required to achieve freedom.