Czech Foreign Minister: Hopes for Normalization with China but Remains Cautious

(Central News Agency reporter Liu Yuting, Prague, June 14) Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka said on the 13th that the government hopes to normalize relations with China, aiming to reach the level seen with other European countries, as this is crucial for Czech exports. However, he stressed that it remains necessary to maintain vigilance toward China.

Macinka and Vít Rakušan, leader of the opposition party 'Mayors and Independents' (STAN), debated Czech relations with China and Taiwan during a program on Czech television station Nova on the 13th.

Macinka stated that Czech-China relations are among the worst within the European Union. 'Our goal is to at least slightly normalize bilateral relations,' he said.

While the government does not intend to pursue an especially close relationship with China, Macinka emphasized that normalization is necessary to create export opportunities for Czech businesses.

He highlighted that market access for exports is more important than investment, noting that Czech companies export far more goods to China than to Taiwan. He suggested that past domestic political developments in the Czech Republic had influenced the Chinese regime's attitude toward Czech enterprises, causing major companies like Škoda and PPF Group to face difficulties in the Chinese market.

'We will still maintain a certain level of caution toward China, which is of course appropriate,' Macinka said.

Vít Rakušan, leader of the opposition 'Mayors and Independents' (STAN), argued that maintaining good relations with Taiwan is a pragmatic policy, as Taiwanese investment in the Czech Republic has long exceeded that from China. He also noted that even during the previous government's openly friendly stance toward Taiwan, Czech exports to China continued to grow.

Rakušan pointed out that the Chinese regime poses risks, citing that most recent cyberattacks originate not from Russia but from China. He referenced a recent case in which a Chinese national was indicted by prosecutors on espionage charges.

'Relationship normalization should actually be achieved by China. China should treat us as a normal country, not as an entity to be infiltrated and controlled,' Rakušan said.

Regarding Senate President Miloš Vystrčil's recent visit to Taiwan, Macinka emphasized the importance of avoiding any misperception that the Czech government intends to recognize Taiwan's independence.

Vystrčil led a delegation to Taiwan in early June, promoting cooperation and exchanges in economic, technological, cultural, and educational fields. However, the Czech government refused to provide a special aircraft for the trip, drawing strong criticism from opposition parties. (Edited by Chen Hui-ping) 1150614