Taiwan praises Czech Senate head Miloš Vystrčil for not yielding to Chinese threats

Taiwan does not want to specify the Chinese threats and attempts to blackmail Vystrčil, because this would only serve to promote Beijing’s hegemonic attitude towards Taiwan, Ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said.

“Instead, we should focus on Vystrčil’s political courage in the face of such bullying,” she said.

“We saw human dignity and the spirit of the 1989 Velvet Revolution in Vystrčil before, during and after his visit,” Ou said.

Along with some 90 delegation members, Vystrčil (opposition Civic Democrats, ODS) was in Taiwan from August 30 to September 4. China considers Taiwan to be its own territory. Beijing has been appealing to foreign countries not to meet Taiwanese representatives, because such action implies the recognition of the island’s independence.

“By no means we are against advantageous and equal relations between the Czech Republic and the People’s Republic of China. Similarly, we want advantageous and equal relations with Taiwan,” Vystrčil said during the trip.

As a consequence of Vystrčil’s visit to Taiwan, Petrof, a Czech major piano manufacturer, may lose a consignment of grand and upright pianos for China that was worth 5 million crowns. The family foundation of Czech entrepreneur Karel Komarek stated that it will buy the instruments meant for China and donate them to Czech schools.

Beijing cannot buy respect by using its market to force others to bend to the Chinese will, Ou said.