Czech delegation arrives in Taiwan

An official delegation from the Czech Republic, headed by Senate speaker Miloš Vystrčil, arrived in Taiwan on Sunday on a six-day visit aimed at strengthening economic and cultural ties between the two states. The delegation of 90 officials includes Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib, a number of senators, around 40 business leaders and academics.

In the course of the visit the Czech Senate speaker will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen, the country’s prime minister, lawmakers and several members of cabinet. He is also scheduled to speak in Taiwan’s Parliament and at Chengchi University in Taipei. Vystrčil will also receive a Congressional Diplomacy Honorary Medal making him the first legislative head from a country with which Taiwan has no diplomatic relations to receive the honor.

The visit has elicited severe criticism from China and some politicians on the domestic scene who say it goes against the country’s official foreign policy line which acknowledges the policy of “One China“.