Senator Jiri Drahos’s trip to Taiwan has been postponed and will now occur in the spring due to the Czech Republic’s recent surge in coronavirus cases.
Originally, Drahoš was supposed to visit the country from 21 to 29 October. A group of scientists, epidemiologists, and cybersecurity experts were to travel to Taiwan with him.
“Postponing my delegation to Taiwan is the only logical decision under the current conditions,” Drahos said. “On the Taiwan side, I see great interest in deepening existing cooperation, and I firmly believe that even if my trip takes place a few months later, it will contribute to further strengthening relations with our Taiwanese friends,” he added. In the country, Drahoš was to attend, among other things, the opening of the Czech-Taiwan Technology Days in Taipei.
The trip follows a recent visit by a delegation of Senate President Miloš Vystrčil, who led a trade delegation to Taiwan at the beginning of September.
At the end of the trip, Vystrčil said that he considered the mission a success. According to him, the island country is willing to become more economically involved in Europe through the Czech Republic, and the Czech Republic should take advantage of this.
The trip was criticized by China, which considers Taiwan to be its rebel province. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has threatened Vystrčil, saying that he will pay a high price for the Taiwan visit. Czech diplomacy and European officials vehemently opposed the threat. Vystrčil trip to Taiwan was also repeatedly criticized by President Milos Zeman and Prime Minister Andrei Babis.