Vystrčil: Chinese “high price” comment interference in Czech affairs

Vystrčil: Chinese “high price” comment interference in Czech affairs

The speaker of the Czech Senate, Miloš Vystrčil, says he regrets a statement by the Chinese minister of foreign affairs, Wang Yi, who said on Monday that Mr. Vystrčil would “pay a high price” for visiting Taiwan, a move that breaches Beijing’s “One China” policy.

The Czech politician, who is leading a delegation of 90 in Taiwan, said the comment represented interference in Czech domestic affairs.

The Czech minister of foreign affairs, Tomáš Petříček, said he would this week summon the Chinese ambassador to Prague to explain Mr. Wang’s statement. Mr. Petříček said the language used went beyond the conventions of diplomacy.

A spokesperson for Czech President Miloš Zeman said the Czech delegation’s visit to Taiwan had sparked controversy and worsened the international political standing of the country.