Daughter of Former Czech Senate President Visits Taiwan on Father's Behalf: 'He Was Doing the Right Thing' [Exclusive Interview]
Vendula Vinšová, daughter of the late Czech Senate President Jaroslav Kubera, visited Taiwan to fulfill her father's last wish. In an exclusive interview with CNA, she revealed that her father faced threats from the Chinese embassy and the Czech Presidential Office over his planned visit, enduring immense pressure she believes contributed to his sudden death. She scattered stones inscribed with wishes across Taipei and affirmed her father's decision was correct.
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- 📰 Published: June 5, 2026 at 14:07
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(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 5) Jaroslav Kubera, the former President of the Czech Senate, passed away suddenly six years ago, leaving a visit to Taiwan as his unfulfilled wish. His daughter, Vendula Vinšová, has now come to Taiwan carrying her father's mission. In an exclusive interview with CNA, she said that if her father could have come then, he would have fallen in love with Taiwan. If she could share this trip with her father, she would most want to tell him about the bravery of the Taiwanese people and the steadfast friendship between the two sides, telling him, 'What you insisted on doing back then was the right thing.'
When Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil first visited Taiwan in August 2020, he moved many by saying 'I am Taiwanese' in Mandarin in the Legislative Yuan. However, the idea of visiting Taiwan did not originate with Vystrčil, but with Kubera, a long-time friend of Taiwan. Kubera had planned to visit Taiwan in February 2020 but died suddenly of a heart attack on January 20, 2020.
Vystrčil visited Taiwan again on June 1 this year, this time bringing Kubera's daughter, Vinšová. Before leaving Taiwan on June 4, Vinšová gave an exclusive interview to CNA, discussing the immense threats her father faced due to his planned visit.
Vinšová revealed that her father had received letters from the Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic and the Czech Presidential Office, threatening that 'insisting on visiting Taiwan would come at the highest price.' The Czech Senate launched an investigation into the threats against her father, but no further information has emerged to explain the matter.
'I have never seen my father so distressed,' Vinšová said. She explained that her father kept his work and life separate and did not talk about the pressure he was under at home, but during that period he looked very tired, felt very unwell, and even vomited several times.
Asked if Kubera's death was related to pressure from China, Vinšová said, 'I think so.' No one really knew the situation at the time; her father bore the pressure alone, and the family only learned about the related pressure afterward.
She recalled that her father was very stubborn; once he set his mind on something, no one could persuade him to change it. If he decided to go to Taiwan, he would go to Taiwan. He believed that although the Czech Republic and Taiwan are geographically distant, they are very similar, especially in their shared trait of 'resistance' – refusing to be dictated to by others. He believed that 'there is no value in the world more important than democratic freedom.'
Although Vinšová herself did not face pressure from China on this trip because few people knew she was coming to Taiwan, she admitted, 'Honestly, I don't know if there will be subsequent pressure after I go home.' She said the situation this time is exactly the same as before.
For Vystrčil's visit this time, the Czech government refused to provide an official plane. Vinšová said that once Vystrčil sets a goal, he pursues it, and she fully supports him. When asked whether this is 'values diplomacy' or 'pragmatic diplomacy,' she said the two are not mutually exclusive; values diplomacy cannot exist without the support of pragmatic results, and vice versa.
Vinšová described her visit to Taiwan as a 'mission' to fulfill her father's wish. She brought many small stones from the Czech Republic, each inscribed with wishes such as 'freedom,' and scattered them in various corners of Taipei. She hopes someone will find the stone with her father's name on it, which holds symbolic meaning for her.
She said her father loved life and loved people. If he could have come then, he would have fallen in love with Taiwan. She admires the courage of the Taiwanese people in resisting pressure and never backing down. If she could share this trip with her father, she would most want to tell him about the bravery of the Taiwanese people and the steadfast friendship between the two sides, telling him, 'What you insisted on doing back then was the right thing.'
During the interview, a sudden downpour began, and thunder rumbled into the meeting room. Vinšová joked that when Vystrčil came to Taiwan in 2020 to accept the 'Special Grand Cordon of the Order of Brilliant Star' on her father's behalf from then-President Tsai Ing-wen, there was also a sudden thunderstorm. 'Who knows if my father received it?' she said. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150605
When Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil first visited Taiwan in August 2020, he moved many by saying 'I am Taiwanese' in Mandarin in the Legislative Yuan. However, the idea of visiting Taiwan did not originate with Vystrčil, but with Kubera, a long-time friend of Taiwan. Kubera had planned to visit Taiwan in February 2020 but died suddenly of a heart attack on January 20, 2020.
Vystrčil visited Taiwan again on June 1 this year, this time bringing Kubera's daughter, Vinšová. Before leaving Taiwan on June 4, Vinšová gave an exclusive interview to CNA, discussing the immense threats her father faced due to his planned visit.
Vinšová revealed that her father had received letters from the Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic and the Czech Presidential Office, threatening that 'insisting on visiting Taiwan would come at the highest price.' The Czech Senate launched an investigation into the threats against her father, but no further information has emerged to explain the matter.
'I have never seen my father so distressed,' Vinšová said. She explained that her father kept his work and life separate and did not talk about the pressure he was under at home, but during that period he looked very tired, felt very unwell, and even vomited several times.
Asked if Kubera's death was related to pressure from China, Vinšová said, 'I think so.' No one really knew the situation at the time; her father bore the pressure alone, and the family only learned about the related pressure afterward.
She recalled that her father was very stubborn; once he set his mind on something, no one could persuade him to change it. If he decided to go to Taiwan, he would go to Taiwan. He believed that although the Czech Republic and Taiwan are geographically distant, they are very similar, especially in their shared trait of 'resistance' – refusing to be dictated to by others. He believed that 'there is no value in the world more important than democratic freedom.'
Although Vinšová herself did not face pressure from China on this trip because few people knew she was coming to Taiwan, she admitted, 'Honestly, I don't know if there will be subsequent pressure after I go home.' She said the situation this time is exactly the same as before.
For Vystrčil's visit this time, the Czech government refused to provide an official plane. Vinšová said that once Vystrčil sets a goal, he pursues it, and she fully supports him. When asked whether this is 'values diplomacy' or 'pragmatic diplomacy,' she said the two are not mutually exclusive; values diplomacy cannot exist without the support of pragmatic results, and vice versa.
Vinšová described her visit to Taiwan as a 'mission' to fulfill her father's wish. She brought many small stones from the Czech Republic, each inscribed with wishes such as 'freedom,' and scattered them in various corners of Taipei. She hopes someone will find the stone with her father's name on it, which holds symbolic meaning for her.
She said her father loved life and loved people. If he could have come then, he would have fallen in love with Taiwan. She admires the courage of the Taiwanese people in resisting pressure and never backing down. If she could share this trip with her father, she would most want to tell him about the bravery of the Taiwanese people and the steadfast friendship between the two sides, telling him, 'What you insisted on doing back then was the right thing.'
During the interview, a sudden downpour began, and thunder rumbled into the meeting room. Vinšová joked that when Vystrčil came to Taiwan in 2020 to accept the 'Special Grand Cordon of the Order of Brilliant Star' on her father's behalf from then-President Tsai Ing-wen, there was also a sudden thunderstorm. 'Who knows if my father received it?' she said. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150605
FAQ
Who is Vendula Vinšová?
She is the daughter of former Czech Senate President Jaroslav Kubera, who visited Taiwan to fulfill her father's wish.
What kind of pressure did Kubera face?
He was threatened by the Chinese embassy and the Czech Presidential Office with the 'highest price' if he insisted on visiting Taiwan.
What did Vinšová do in Taiwan?
She scattered stones inscribed with wishes across Taipei and reaffirmed friendship with Taiwan on behalf of her father.