[Global Times Comprehensive Report] Czech Senate Speaker Vitzy will lead a delegation to visit Taiwan at the end of this month, and Prague Mayor He Ruipu will also go to Taiwan with the delegation. Their actions not only met with strong opposition from the mainland, but also caused considerable controversy within the Czech Republic.
The DPP authorities continue to hype "this is the highest-ranking Czech official who has visited Taiwan in history." Taiwan’s “Presidential Office” claimed on the 12th that it would follow the specifications of former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and U.S. Secretary of Health Aza, “in accordance with international etiquette and the Central Epidemic Command Center’s epidemic prevention regulations, it will treat them with enthusiasm.” According to the "Central News Agency", Czech companies have a strong interest in Taiwan's EMS (Electronic Professional Manufacturing Services) manufacturers. This time, several representatives of Czech companies will visit the delegation. Taiwan’s "Ministry of Economic Affairs" stated that the Czech Republic is Taiwan’s fourth largest investment partner in Europe, and its investment scale is second only to Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. In 2019, the trade volume between Taiwan and Czech Republic was close to US$820 million. The major EMS factories on the island, including Hon Hai, Asus, Acer, etc., have established their presence in the Czech Republic.
China Times mentioned that the spokesperson of the Presidential Palace of the Czech Republic clearly expressed opposition to the Speaker’s visit to Taiwan. The Czech Foreign Minister also stated that “under the respect of the one-China principle, it is recommended that the speaker not visit Taiwan”. The mainland said that it firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between any country and Taiwan and urges relevant countries to immediately correct their mistakes, abide by the one-China principle, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs. (Zhang Ruo)