[International] Czech Parliament Holds Taiwan-Czech Exchange Achievements Meeting, Urging to Seize Opportunities to Deepen Bilateral Cooperation
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bellala 央廣＠＠3h ago
The Czech House of Representatives held a meeting on the "Achievements of Czech-Taiwan Cooperation to Date" on the 18th, focusing on the results of Taiwan-Czech cooperation in politics, economy, trade, technology, and academia over the years. Attendees included Taiwan's Representative to the Czech Republic Chen Li-kuo, Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil, Chairman of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Taiwan Marek Benda, former Speaker of the House Marketa Pekarova Adamova, and scholars from various fields, who shared their insights in person or remotely.
Chen Li-kuo: The Czech Republic is one of Taiwan's closest partners in Europe.
Taiwan's Representative to the Czech Republic Chen Li-kuo stated in his speech: "Five years ago, many people talked about the 'potential' of Czech-Taiwan relations; today, we can proudly talk about 'achievements.'"
Chen Li-kuo reviewed the historical trajectory of bilateral relations in his speech. He pointed out that former Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib led a delegation to Taiwan in 2019 and decided to terminate the sister city agreement with Beijing based on the 'One China Principle' political clause, signing a new sister city agreement with Taipei instead.
Subsequently, Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil led a delegation to Taiwan in 2020, elevating Taiwan-Czech relations to a new height. Vystrčil again led a delegation to Taiwan earlier this month, which also resulted in several substantive achievements in Taiwan-Czech cooperation.
In terms of academia, Chen Li-kuo stated that the number of Czech students studying in Taiwan has reached a historic high. The partnerships between universities in both countries in semiconductor technology, engineering, and information technology continue to expand. "The Czech Republic is one of Taiwan's closest partners in Europe."
Chen Li-kuo previously served as Director-General of the European Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Representative to the EU and Belgium, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, before being stationed in Prague as Taiwan's Representative to the Czech Republic. As a seasoned diplomat, he expressed his honor in witnessing the evolution of bilateral relations from different positions.
He said: "I have witnessed our partnership become stronger. Although my perspective has changed with the years, one thing has remained constant and unwavering: the stable expansion of Taiwan-Czech cooperation."
Vystrčil Urges Czech Government to Deepen Cooperation with Taiwan, Avoid Missing Opportunities
Vystrčil led a delegation to Taiwan in early June and shared the fruitful results of this visit at the meeting. He pointed out that the visit achieved several substantive advancements in parliamentary diplomacy, economy, trade, and academia. For example, Taiwan will increase its investment fund by 50 million Euros, and direct flights between Taiwan and the Czech Republic will be realized daily in the future.
He mentioned that during this visit, he felt a warm "cross-party" welcome from Taiwan's political circles and emotionally shared that the Taiwanese passengers on his return flight collectively applauded him in gratitude, "This respect is for the entire Czech Republic."
Vystrčil said that Taiwan is ready to regard the Czech Republic as a gateway to Europe, but business opportunities do not come out of thin air. He reminded the Czech government that there is an urgent need for an administrative team at the deputy minister level or above to engage and implement, otherwise, neighboring countries like Poland or Hungary could easily replace the Czech Republic's advantageous position and miss the opportunity to deepen cooperation with Taiwan.
Vystrčil emphasized that Taiwan is a free and democratic country, having undergone a peaceful democratic transition just like the Czech Republic. Deepening bilateral cooperation not only aligns with universal values but also serves the long-term interests of the Czech Republic. "The parliamentary diplomacy we have conducted in the Senate is correct," he said, hoping that all sectors of the Czech Republic will build consensus and deepen cooperation with Taiwan.
Benda Follows His Father's Legacy in Supporting Taiwan: Supporting Ukraine is Supporting Taiwan
Marek Benda, Chairman of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Taiwan, delivered a remote video address. He revealed that his father had firmly told him that there were two distant countries in the world most worthy of deep cooperation: "Israel and Taiwan," and thus he has always inherited his father's belief.
Benda pointed out that Taiwan-Czech bilateral cooperation has achieved incredible breakthroughs in recent years, such as the fruitful results Vystrčil brought back from Taiwan in June. Furthermore, the "Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement," promoted by multiple governments, has also been passed with cross-party support, proving that cooperation with Taiwan is a consensus transcending party lines in the Czech Republic. Current Taiwan-Czech cooperation has also extended to highly sensitive industries such as "defense and drone manufacturing."
Benda also mentioned the Russia-Ukraine war, stating: "The battle taking place in Kyiv is also a battle for Taipei. How the international order is defined and whether great powers are allowed to bully smaller neighboring countries will determine Taiwan's future. Taiwan's choice to provide strong assistance to Ukraine proves that Taiwan fully understands this. Supporting Ukraine is supporting Taiwan!"
Adamova Clarifies Two Major Czech Political Myths to Defend Taiwan-Czech Economic and Trade Cooperation
Former Speaker of the Czech House of Representatives Marketa Pekarova Adamova affirmed Taiwan's long-term investment in the Czech Republic and, using official economic facts and market data, refuted domestic pro-China political propaganda and false statements, debunking the two major political myths of "missing TSMC" and "Chinese market punishment."
Adamova pointed out that negotiations for the layout of international semiconductor giants are extremely lengthy. The critical evaluation period for TSMC's Dresden plant was already determined during the previous government led by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. Furthermore, Germany offered astronomical subsidies of over billions of Euros, which was unrealistic for the Czech Republic facing budget challenges, and the Czech Republic at the time also lacked a complete semiconductor ecosystem and talent.
Regarding the claim that "getting along with Taiwan has led to the complete failure of Czech enterprises in China," Adamova cited the example of the iconic car manufacturer "Škoda" gradually withdrawing from China. She emphasized that Škoda's decision was entirely due to the "extremely fierce" commercial reality in the Chinese market, leading them to shift to India and Southeast Asia. This was purely a rational economic choice and had nothing to do with the Czech Republic's policy towards Taiwan.
She called on the public to see the facts clearly and to value the substantive investments brought by Taiwan, which are high value-added and future-oriented. (Editor: Liu Xianghua)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=215603
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