US EditionCzech PM Babis Criticises Senate Leader's Taiwan Trip for Damaging China Business Ties
Babis said Vystrcil must fly commercially as the cabinet seeks a more pragmatic policy that protects trade ties with China.
- On Monday, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis confirmed the government will not provide a state aircraft for Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil's planned trip to Taiwan, citing a desire for pragmatic foreign policy.
- Babis argued that previous visits to Taiwan by Vystrcil and the Lower House Speaker had "destroyed business," stating policy should prioritize trade over values-based diplomacy with China.
- Since taking office in December, the prime minister's Cabinet has shifted foreign policy, terminating funding for Ukraine and rejecting a European Union loan for Kyiv to prioritize trade relationships.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Monday that it welcomes Vystrcil to visit Taiwan again, characterizing him as a "solid friend of Taiwan" despite the aircraft denial.
- Vystrcil, a member of the Civic Democrat party, will lead a business delegation to Taipei in May using a commercial airline and said he would comment on the issue later this week.
12 Articles
12 Articles
The Chinese server linked to the Chinese communist government, Global Times, noticed that Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) will not provide Senate Speaker Miloš Vystrčil (ODS) with a government special to visit Taiwan. The Chinese “expert” Feng Jiang, who was contacted, said that this reflects the Czech Republic’s two different positions on Taiwan policy.
The delegation, led by Senate Speaker Miloš Vystrčil, will fly to Taiwan from Prague. According to Vystrčil, the rejection of the government plane is a stab in the back for businessmen and representatives of science who were supposed to participate.
Czech Senate Speaker Šeš Český Krumlov recently stated he will visit Taiwan again, possibly in June. However, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis is considering a visit to China, concerned about potential damage to Czech commercial interests in China, and has stated he will not approve an executive plane for the trip to Taiwan. In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on the 21st that it welcomes Šeš Český Krumlov's potential visit to T…
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