Czech MEP Criticizes Government's Refusal to Provide Special Plane for Taiwan Visit, Emphasizing Taiwan as Partner and Warning of China Risk
Czech MEPs and senators criticized the government's refusal to provide a special plane for Senate President Miloš Vystrčil's visit to Taiwan, instead asking him to take a civilian flight. They emphasized Taiwan's economic and strategic importance as a partner and warned of the risks associated with China.
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- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 23:14
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Central News Agency (Prague, April 21st) - The Czech government refused to provide a special plane for Senate President Miloš Vystrčil's visit to Taiwan, citing concerns that it would harm Czech commercial interests with China. MEP Tomáš Zdechovský pointed out that data proves Taiwan is more important than China, emphasizing that "Taiwan is a partner, China is a risk." Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Pavel Fischer stated that China's early promises of large-scale investments have not materialized and warned of potential security risks.
Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil is scheduled to visit Taiwan in early June. However, the Czech government refused to provide a special plane for Vystrčil's visit, asking him to take a civilian flight instead, on the grounds that it does not want the trip to be seen as official endorsement, which could harm Czech commercial interests in China.
Czech MEP Tomáš Zdechovský posted on social media platform X: "Taiwan is more important to us than China, and the data proves it. Taiwan invests in Czech industries, creates jobs, and brings high-tech expertise. China brings political pressure, security risks, and empty promises. Taiwan is a partner, China is a risk. Europe should understand the difference."
Zdechovský said: "For Vystrčil, the trip to Taiwan is so important. It opens the door to strategic partnerships, strengthens our economy and security, without relying on authoritarian regimes."
He frankly stated that Taiwan's investment in the Czech Republic exceeds China's and creates several times more jobs. However, the Czech government often hesitates about who to prioritize. This is not about Czech interests; it is weakness and lack of courage.
Zdechovský said: "I am very clear that we should support partners who truly help us grow, not those who want to buy influence here."
Former Czech Speaker of the House of Representatives Markéta Pekarová Adamová also posted, stating: "Taiwan is a developed democracy, a chip superpower, where over 90% of the most advanced chips are produced. Perhaps there is no need to remind that semiconductors are an absolutely critical component today. Not only for consumer products, but also for security systems. Developing relations with Taiwan, in short, is absolutely pragmatic."
Pavel Fischer, Chairman of the Czech Senate's Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security Committee, stated on social media platform X that Babis's claim that "politicians like Vystrčil destroy business opportunities with China" is "unfounded."
Fischer pointed out that Babis may not have fully researched relevant data and remains optimistic about China's investment during the previous (former President) Zeman era. However, facts have proven that the promised large-scale Chinese investments have not actually materialized.
He stated that the business environment under China's communist system has undergone fundamental changes. According to a research report by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC), "In China, the focus is no longer on business, but on ideology." Therefore, the government should instead send a clear signal to the business community: "The so-called gold rush era is over; now is the era of strategic caution."
Fischer pointed out that China has transformed from the "world's factory" into an impenetrable "closed fortress." He compared entering the Chinese market to "competing with a team that owns the field, the referee, and the rules of the game," with even media reporting controlled.
He also warned that the China issue not only affects Czech companies but is a common challenge at the EU level. Due to the Chinese government's large-scale subsidies to domestic enterprises, European companies actually face competitors who are not just businesses themselves, but the entire national financial system.
Fischer pointed out that if Europe does not respond in time, Chinese electric vehicles may flood the market, impacting local automotive industries and even posing data and security risks.
In addition, Fischer also mentioned the strategic dependence risks in steel and technology fields, believing that if China's dumping is allowed to weaken the European industrial base, it will have long-term impacts on national defense and infrastructure. "Reliance on Chinese technology may repeat Europe's past mistake of energy reliance on Russia."
Fischer emphasized that the China issue involves security aspects, and Europe should adopt a consistent and prudent strategic response. If China successfully divides Europe, each country will be weakened one by one; only through unity can they safeguard the common market and strategic autonomy. (Edited by Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150421
Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil is scheduled to visit Taiwan in early June. However, the Czech government refused to provide a special plane for Vystrčil's visit, asking him to take a civilian flight instead, on the grounds that it does not want the trip to be seen as official endorsement, which could harm Czech commercial interests in China.
Czech MEP Tomáš Zdechovský posted on social media platform X: "Taiwan is more important to us than China, and the data proves it. Taiwan invests in Czech industries, creates jobs, and brings high-tech expertise. China brings political pressure, security risks, and empty promises. Taiwan is a partner, China is a risk. Europe should understand the difference."
Zdechovský said: "For Vystrčil, the trip to Taiwan is so important. It opens the door to strategic partnerships, strengthens our economy and security, without relying on authoritarian regimes."
He frankly stated that Taiwan's investment in the Czech Republic exceeds China's and creates several times more jobs. However, the Czech government often hesitates about who to prioritize. This is not about Czech interests; it is weakness and lack of courage.
Zdechovský said: "I am very clear that we should support partners who truly help us grow, not those who want to buy influence here."
Former Czech Speaker of the House of Representatives Markéta Pekarová Adamová also posted, stating: "Taiwan is a developed democracy, a chip superpower, where over 90% of the most advanced chips are produced. Perhaps there is no need to remind that semiconductors are an absolutely critical component today. Not only for consumer products, but also for security systems. Developing relations with Taiwan, in short, is absolutely pragmatic."
Pavel Fischer, Chairman of the Czech Senate's Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security Committee, stated on social media platform X that Babis's claim that "politicians like Vystrčil destroy business opportunities with China" is "unfounded."
Fischer pointed out that Babis may not have fully researched relevant data and remains optimistic about China's investment during the previous (former President) Zeman era. However, facts have proven that the promised large-scale Chinese investments have not actually materialized.
He stated that the business environment under China's communist system has undergone fundamental changes. According to a research report by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC), "In China, the focus is no longer on business, but on ideology." Therefore, the government should instead send a clear signal to the business community: "The so-called gold rush era is over; now is the era of strategic caution."
Fischer pointed out that China has transformed from the "world's factory" into an impenetrable "closed fortress." He compared entering the Chinese market to "competing with a team that owns the field, the referee, and the rules of the game," with even media reporting controlled.
He also warned that the China issue not only affects Czech companies but is a common challenge at the EU level. Due to the Chinese government's large-scale subsidies to domestic enterprises, European companies actually face competitors who are not just businesses themselves, but the entire national financial system.
Fischer pointed out that if Europe does not respond in time, Chinese electric vehicles may flood the market, impacting local automotive industries and even posing data and security risks.
In addition, Fischer also mentioned the strategic dependence risks in steel and technology fields, believing that if China's dumping is allowed to weaken the European industrial base, it will have long-term impacts on national defense and infrastructure. "Reliance on Chinese technology may repeat Europe's past mistake of energy reliance on Russia."
Fischer emphasized that the China issue involves security aspects, and Europe should adopt a consistent and prudent strategic response. If China successfully divides Europe, each country will be weakened one by one; only through unity can they safeguard the common market and strategic autonomy. (Edited by Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150421