Czech Senate President Reports on Taiwan Visit, Promotes Investment Fund and Direct Flights

(CNA, Prague, 5th) Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil stated that one of the key outcomes of his visit to Taiwan was promoting the expansion of an investment fund for Czech and Taiwanese companies and increasing flight frequencies between Prague and Taipei. Furthermore, he emphasized that if the Czech Republic's commercial relations with China are based on equality and mutual benefit, this visit could not negatively impact Czech-China economic and trade ties.

Senate President Miloš Vystrčil concluded his visit to Taiwan and returned to the Czech Republic today, holding a press conference at the Senate to share the results of his trip with the media.

Vystrčil shared that during his first visit to Taiwan in 2020, he received a suitcase printed with the Taiwanese flag from President Lai Ching-te. In return, this time he gifted President Lai a black leather backpack made by a company in Zlín, Czech Republic, printed with the flags of both the Czech Republic and Taiwan, and invited President Lai to visit the Czech Republic.

Vystrčil said that besides hoping to host President Lai in his hometown of Telč, he also invited Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu to visit the Czech Republic.

He said: "I felt strong support from the Taiwanese people, whether in my exchanges with the Taiwanese government or the opposition. I think we can take this as a model to learn from."

Vystrčil stated that Taiwan will add 50 million euros to the investment fund to promote bilateral investment between Taiwan and the Czech Republic. Both sides' companies also signed three memoranda of understanding at the Taipei International Startup Expo, Innovex. In addition to China Airlines' three weekly direct flights between Prague and Taipei, STARLUX Airlines will launch four weekly direct flights, achieving daily direct flights between Taiwan and the Czech Republic.

In the cultural and educational fields, Charles University signed two cooperation agreements with two Taiwanese universities. During this visit, Vystrčil also inaugurated the "Czech Classroom" established at National Chengchi University and held events commemorating former Czech President Václav Havel.

Vystrčil's visit to Taiwan was not provided with a government plane by the Czech government, as Prime Minister Andrej Babiš was concerned it would affect economic and trade relations with China. Vystrčil ultimately traveled to Taiwan on a commercial flight.

Vystrčil emphasized that despite Babiš's differing views, if the Czech Republic's commercial relations with China are based on equality and mutual benefit, his visit to Taiwan could not negatively impact Czech-China economic and trade relations.

He stated: "Babiš's statement is either not in line with the facts, because this visit could not damage commercial relations; or he assumed from the outset that in commercial dealings we should primarily comply with China's wishes. Logically, I can only draw these two possibilities."

Vystrčil pointed out that whether the Czech Republic and Taiwan can deepen cooperation in the future depends on the Czech Republic's own efforts. "I very much hope that the Czech executive branch can also join in," he said. (Editor: Chen Chenggong) 1150605