Government refuses plane for Senate speaker’s Taiwan trip, tabloid reports

The Czech government has refused to provide an aircraft for Senate speaker Miloš Vystrčil (Civic Democratic Party) for his planned visit to Taiwan, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO Party) said, according to the tabloid daily Blesk. Babiš justified the decision by citing differences in foreign policy, particularly regarding relations with China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province. Vystrčil is expected to travel with a business delegation at the turn of May and June and may instead use a commercial flight. Speaking to Czech Television, Vystrčil confirmed the government would not provide a plane and said he would comment further next week.