Czech President: Cooperation with Taiwan More Extensive, Rejects China's Dictates

(CNA, by Liu Yu-ting, Prague, 21st) Czech President Petr Pavel stated today that the Czech Republic's cooperation with Taiwan in business, research, culture, and science is more extensive than its cooperation with China. He emphasized that the Czech Republic has the right to autonomously decide its foreign cooperation partners and should not and cannot let any other country, including China, decide who the Czech Republic can or cannot cooperate with. According to Reuters, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on the 20th that Beijing is willing to improve relations with the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka announced earlier this year a plan to restore normal-level relations with China. Petr Pavel, attending the renowned Central and Eastern European think tank GLOBSEC Forum today, responded to media questions about Czech-China relations by stating that he does not believe the Czech Republic has any intention of worsening its relationship with China. The Czech Republic has always been willing to maintain good relations with China, and this willingness has never been interrupted. Pavel said, 'As for whether China views our cooperation with Taiwan, or for example, the private visit of the Dalai Lama, as a negative factor, that is basically their own consideration.' He reiterated that the Czech Republic has not violated the 'One China Policy' and has always respected it. Pavel said, 'Regarding cooperation with Taiwan, we must look at it from a purely pragmatic perspective. After all, our government emphasizes a pragmatic policy approach. And our cooperation with Taiwan in the fields of business, research, culture, and science is more extensive than our cooperation with China.' Pavel stressed that as a sovereign state, the Czech Republic has the right to choose its partners. 'We cannot let any other country, including China, decide who we can and cannot cooperate with.' He added that if China is ready to cooperate with the Czech Republic on an equal basis, he sees no obstacles. GLOBSEC kicks off in Prague today, with the three-day event opened by President Pavel. This year's event focuses on changes in the international order, technology, defense, and energy, with an expected record attendance of over 2,000 participants from 86 countries.