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Czech Senate Speaker Vystrcil said ‘I am Taiwanese’ when speaking in the island’s parliament on September 1, a move that would further enrage Beijing.
“Let me express my support for the people of Taiwan. Let me say to your parliament humbly but also firmly ‘I am Taiwanese,'” said the President of the Czech Senate, Milos Vystrcil. .
Vystrcil’s move may further enrage Beijing for its “one China” policy. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi previously warned that Vystrcil would have to “pay the price” for his official visit to the island of Taiwan on August 30.
Wang accused Vystrcil of defying the “One China” principle and “becoming the enemy of 1.4 billion Chinese.” The Chinese foreign minister said the country would not tolerate such “public provocation”.
Vystrcil and a 90-member delegation, including politicians, businessmen, scientists and journalists, landed at Taiwan’s Taoyuan Airport on the morning of August 30, kicking off a five-day visit. The president of the Czech Senate said his visit was aimed at promoting trade relations with the island of Taiwan.
The Czech government stated that it did not support Vystrcil’s visit to Taiwan, but said it was also dissatisfied when Beijing strongly condemned the visit and convened Chinese ambassadors in Prague to discuss on August 31. On the same day China also millions of Czech ambassadors.
The Czech government recognized the “One China” policy, which viewed Taiwan as part of mainland China, and promised not to send government officials to visit the island. Vystrcil, however, is a member of the right-wing opposition party and is not subject to the rule.
Czech President Milos Zeman has sought closer political and trade relations with China since he came to power in 2013. However, his efforts have been clouded by failed investment plans. The public and the Czech government have also been dubious on the issue of licensing Huawei to develop telecommunications networks.
Ngoc Anh (According to the Reuters)