The Czech Republic sent a 150-member delegation to Taiwan on March 25, its largest-ever delegation to the self-ruled island, aiming to expand cooperation while expressing support for Taiwan’s democratic system.
Marketa Pekarova Adamova, the speaker of the Czech parliament’s lower chamber, led the delegation and referred to Taiwan as a “close partner” of the Czech Republic.
During her meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on March 27, Adamova said the two countries share the same values and principles, “the most important of which are freedom, democracy, and human rights, ensuring that we resist other external pressures.”
Adamova reaffirmed her government’s stance that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait was in the interests of all democracies in the international community and global security, according to Tsai’s office.
She also voiced support for Taiwan’s efforts to participate in major international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Tsai said that the Czech delegation had visited Taiwan “under strong pressure,” alluding to Beijing’s criticism of the visit. She believes the two nations can expand cooperation in economy, trade, science and technology, culture, and regional security.
“Taiwan and the Czech Republic have both experienced authoritarian rule and deeply understand that democracy has not come easily, so we can become firm partners with each other on the road of upholding democracy and freedom,” she said.
The Czech Republic does not have official ties with Taiwan. Most countries have avoided high-level public interactions with Taiwan and its president to avoid provoking Beijing.
Newly elected Czech president Petr Pavel drew a sharp rebuke from Beijing in January after taking a call from Tsai, a clear shift from his predecessor’s attempts to win Chinese business.
The Czech delegation’s meeting with Tsai came on the heels of Honduras’s decision to sever ties with Taiwan in favor of diplomatic relations with China.
Tsai is due to depart on a sensitive visit to the United States, Guatemala, and Belize on March 29. She is expected to meet U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles at the end of the trip.
Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said he was “highly suspicious” of the timing of the Honduran decision.
“China seems to be doing this intentionally,” Wu told reporters in Taipei.
Tsai said in a video statement that Taiwan would not compete with China in “meaningless” dollar diplomacy.
“Taiwan’s people have proved to the world that we never cower from threats. Taiwan’s cooperation and links with allies and like-minded countries to jointly promote international well-being and security will only increase, not decrease,” she said.
The United States has been watching with concern as China’s communist regime expands its footprint in its backyard by taking away Taiwan’s Central American allies, and has repeatedly warned countries not to believe Beijing’s promises of aid.
The U.S. State Department said while the Honduran action was a sovereign decision, it was important to note that Beijing “often makes promises in exchange for diplomatic recognition that ultimately remain unfulfilled.”
“Regardless of Honduras’ decision, the United States will continue to deepen and expand our engagement with Taiwan,” it said in a statement.
Taiwan now only has formal diplomatic relations with 13 countries—mainly developing countries in Central America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
Epoch Newsroom and Reuters contributed to this report.