Asia (bbabo.net), - The Czech Republic continues to respect and recognize the One China principle, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on January 31 in an interview with the tabloid news portal Blesk.
The prime minister was asked about Czech-Chinese relations as Beijing diplomats openly criticized the fact that the new Czech president, Petr Pavel, who was elected on Saturday, had a demonstrative quarter-hour telephone conversation with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen as early as Monday. Beijing considers Taiwan to be part of China in accordance with the "one country, two systems" principle.
“We have traditionally had good relations with democratic Taiwan in the economic, educational and research fields. This is a good thing. At the same time, the Czech Republic respects and recognizes the principle of one China. Nothing will change in this,” Prime Minister Petr Fiala said in response to a question about whether Pavel’s telephone conversation with the Taiwanese president had harmed the Czech Republic.
Petr Pavel assured Tsai Ing-wen that both the Czech Republic and Taiwan share the values of freedom, democracy and human rights and are therefore strengthening their partnership. Peter Pavel told the President of Taiwan that he was sure they would have the opportunity to meet in person.
Reuters news agency wrote in a news report from Taipei that the phone call could be considered a "diplomatic breakthrough."
The new Czech president, Pavel, who will take office in March, said in a radio interview Sunday that he does not want to do more harm than good with his scheduled call with the Taiwan president. The principle of "one China" must be supplemented by its other half: "one China, two systems."
“Therefore, there is nothing special about our special relationship with Taiwan,” said Petr Pavel.
The Czech Republic, like most countries in the world, does not maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan in order to avoid a confrontation with China, however, mutual visits have taken place. For example, last year, Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil led a trade delegation to the Asian island nation of Taiwan.
bbabo.Net