Latest news with #CzechMilitaryIntelligence
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
China's assassination plot in Prague exposes CCP's global terror network
. National security experts are warning that China may repeat its apparent attempt to target Taiwanese political figures abroad, following revelations of a planned harassing incident during former vice president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim's March 2024 visit to Prague, the Taipei Times reported. Czech Military Intelligence confirmed that Chinese agents surveilled Hsiao and devised a plan to orchestrate a car collision with her motorcade. The plot, which never progressed beyond the planning stage, involved a Chinese diplomat tailing Hsiao's vehicle and even planning a "demonstrative incident," the agency told Taipei Times. A diplomat allegedly ran a red light, maintaining close surveillance of the Taiwanese delegation. A National Security Bureau official, requesting anonymity, stated that whether the order came from Beijing or local embassy officials, the scheme revealed China's "cross-border repression" tactics, actions that undermine international norms and diplomatic immunity. The official cited prior CCP operations aimed at Hong Kong activists like singer Denise Ho and analyst Lee Cheng-hao, asserting that Beijing is not hesitant to deploy proxies to intimidate critics abroad. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Joacă în sfârșit cel mai bun joc de strategie 2025 gratuit! Sea of Conquest Joacă acum Undo Professor Wang Zhin-sheng of Central Police University described the incident as a "stress test" of Czech authorities, designed to deter future visits by Taiwanese leaders. He warned, "China's intelligence agencies are not hesitant to test countries, to gauge the tolerance of the host country." He also cautioned that future threats may target high-profile figures, such as former President Tsai Ing-wen. The public unveiling of a potential attack on Hsiao prompted strong international backlash. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council condemned China's tactic as a serious breach of diplomatic conventions and demanded an official apology. The US House Foreign Affairs Committee described it as "criminality on display" and urged broader global condemnation. Taipei Times stressed that the scheme not only endangered Hsiao's life but also signalled an escalation in China's extraterritorial coercion, a tactic that democratic nations must respond to decisively. With rising threats of this nature, experts affirm that states must take a "zero tolerance" stance to protect Taiwanese and other democracy advocates abroad.
The Sun
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Czech Intel: China planned to intimidate Taiwan vice-president
PRAGUE: Czech military intelligence has exposed a shocking plot by Chinese diplomats to physically intimidate Taiwan's Vice-President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim during her visit to Prague last year. The revelation came on Friday when Czech intelligence confirmed that Chinese diplomats and secret service agents had systematically followed Hsiao throughout her March 2024 visit, gathering intelligence on her schedule and attempting to document her meetings with Czech officials. What exactly happened? According to Czech Military Intelligence spokesman Jan Pejsek, Chinese operatives violated diplomatic protocols by: Physically tailing the Taiwanese vice-president Collecting detailed information about her itinerary Planning what intelligence called a 'demonstrative kinetic action' - essentially a staged intimidation attempt Czech media previously reported that a Chinese diplomat had run a red light whilst following Hsiao's car. New reports suggest the Chinese had also planned to stage a demonstrative car crash to intimidate her. The diplomatic fallout Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council has strongly condemned what it calls China's 'bad behaviour,' demanding an immediate explanation and public apology. The council stated that Chinese actions 'seriously threatened the personal safety of Vice President Hsiao and her entourage.' China, however, denies any wrongdoing. Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun insisted that 'Chinese diplomats have always abided by the laws and regulations of the countries in which they are stationed.' Beijing also criticised Prague for allowing the visit, claiming the Czech Republic had interfered in China's internal affairs by hosting the Taiwanese official. Why this matters This incident highlights the growing tensions between China and countries that maintain informal relations with Taiwan. Prague doesn't have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan but has fostered increasingly warm relations with the democratically-governed island, which China considers its own territory. Czech-China relations have deteriorated significantly in recent years. Just last month, the Czechs accused China of orchestrating a cyberattack on their foreign ministry. The Czech Foreign Ministry confirmed it had summoned the Chinese ambassador over the incident when it occurred but declined to provide additional comments on Friday. Background context Hsiao, who assumed office alongside President Lai Ching-te in May 2024, represents Taiwan's continued efforts to maintain international relationships despite Beijing's diplomatic pressure. This incident occurred during a period of heightened Czech-Taiwan cooperation, with Czech politicians regularly visiting Taiwan and former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen having visited Prague in October. The exposure of this intimidation plot underscores the lengths to which China will go to pressure Taiwan and its international partners, even on foreign soil.
Malay Mail
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Taiwan VP Hsiao Bi-khim says she won't be silenced after China allegedly ‘planned car crash' during 2024 Prague visit
TAIPEI, June 29 — Taiwan's Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim said she will not be intimidated by China after Czech military intelligence said Chinese diplomats and secret service followed Hsiao and planned to intimidate her physically when she visited Prague last year. Hsiao visited the Czech Republic in March 2024. Prague does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan but has fostered warm relations with the democratically-governed island, which China views as its own territory despite Taiwan's rejection. Czech media reported last year that a Chinese diplomat had run a red light when following her car. Czech public radio news website said on Thursday that the Chinese had also planned to stage a demonstrative car crash. 'I had a great visit to Prague & thank the Czech authorities for their hospitality & ensuring my safety. The CCP's unlawful activities will NOT intimidate me from voicing Taiwan's interests in the international community,' Hsiao wrote in a post on X social media platform yesterday, referring to the Chinese Communist Party. Her post was linked to the Reuters report on the incident. In a separate post on X, Hsiao thanked global parliamentarians who have expressed solidarity against 'violence and coercion.' 'Taiwan will not be isolated by intimidation,' Hsiao wrote. Czech Military Intelligence spokesman said Chinese diplomats in Prague had taken actions that violated diplomatic rules. 'This consisted of physically following the vice-president, gathering information on her schedule and attempts to document her meetings with important representatives of the Czech political and public scene,' spokesman Jan Pejsek said in emailed comments to Reuters. 'We even recorded an attempt by the Chinese civil secret service to create conditions to perform a demonstrative kinetic action against a protected person, which however did not go beyond the phase of preparation.' A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, commenting on the matter, denied any wrongdoing by Chinese diplomats and also said the Czech Republic had interfered in China's internal affairs by allowing Hsiao's visit to go ahead. The Czech Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the Chinese ambassador over the incident at the time but did not comment further on Friday. 'This is the CCP's criminality on display for the whole world to see. This isn't diplomacy, it's coercion,' the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee wrote on X. Taiwan protests Taiwan's China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said the Chinese actions 'seriously threatened the personal safety of Vice President Hsiao and her entourage'. 'The Mainland Affairs Council today protested and strongly condemned the Chinese communist's bad behaviour and demanded that the Chinese side should immediately explain and publicly apologise,' it said. A senior Taiwan security official briefed on the matter told Reuters the incident was an example of 'transnational repression' by China that the European Union is currently paying close attention to. 'This is a problem that everyone should pay attention to,' the official requesting anonymity said, adding many government officials around the world were threatened by China upon visits made by Taiwanese officials or politicians to their countries. In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said: 'Chinese diplomats have always abided by the laws and regulations of the countries in which they are stationed.' 'China urges the parties concerned not to be provoked and exploited by separatist forces for Taiwan independence, and to not make a fuss over nothing, engage in malicious speculation, and interfere with and undermine the relations between the two countries.' Hsiao assumed office, along with President Lai Ching-te, on May 20 last year. Czech relations with China have cooled in recent years. The Czechs accused China in May of being behind a cyberattack on the foreign ministry. Czech politicians have visited Taiwan and former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visited Prague last October. China views separately governed Taiwan as its own territory and has ramped up its military and political pressure in recent years. Taiwan says only its people can decide their future and vows to defend its freedom and democracy. — Reuters
Malay Mail
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Taiwan VP Hsiao Bi-khim says she won't be silenced after China ‘planned car crash' during 2024 Prague visit
TAIPEI, June 29 — Taiwan's Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim said she will not be intimidated by China after Czech military intelligence said Chinese diplomats and secret service followed Hsiao and planned to intimidate her physically when she visited Prague last year. Hsiao visited the Czech Republic in March 2024. Prague does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan but has fostered warm relations with the democratically-governed island, which China views as its own territory despite Taiwan's rejection. Czech media reported last year that a Chinese diplomat had run a red light when following her car. Czech public radio news website said on Thursday that the Chinese had also planned to stage a demonstrative car crash. 'I had a great visit to Prague & thank the Czech authorities for their hospitality & ensuring my safety. The CCP's unlawful activities will NOT intimidate me from voicing Taiwan's interests in the international community,' Hsiao wrote in a post on X social media platform yesterday, referring to the Chinese Communist Party. Her post was linked to the Reuters report on the incident. In a separate post on X, Hsiao thanked global parliamentarians who have expressed solidarity against 'violence and coercion.' 'Taiwan will not be isolated by intimidation,' Hsiao wrote. Czech Military Intelligence spokesman said Chinese diplomats in Prague had taken actions that violated diplomatic rules. 'This consisted of physically following the vice-president, gathering information on her schedule and attempts to document her meetings with important representatives of the Czech political and public scene,' spokesman Jan Pejsek said in emailed comments to Reuters. 'We even recorded an attempt by the Chinese civil secret service to create conditions to perform a demonstrative kinetic action against a protected person, which however did not go beyond the phase of preparation.' A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, commenting on the matter, denied any wrongdoing by Chinese diplomats and also said the Czech Republic had interfered in China's internal affairs by allowing Hsiao's visit to go ahead. The Czech Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the Chinese ambassador over the incident at the time but did not comment further on Friday. 'This is the CCP's criminality on display for the whole world to see. This isn't diplomacy, it's coercion,' the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee wrote on X. Taiwan protests Taiwan's China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said the Chinese actions 'seriously threatened the personal safety of Vice President Hsiao and her entourage'. 'The Mainland Affairs Council today protested and strongly condemned the Chinese communist's bad behaviour and demanded that the Chinese side should immediately explain and publicly apologise,' it said. A senior Taiwan security official briefed on the matter told Reuters the incident was an example of 'transnational repression' by China that the European Union is currently paying close attention to. 'This is a problem that everyone should pay attention to,' the official requesting anonymity said, adding many government officials around the world were threatened by China upon visits made by Taiwanese officials or politicians to their countries. In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said: 'Chinese diplomats have always abided by the laws and regulations of the countries in which they are stationed.' 'China urges the parties concerned not to be provoked and exploited by separatist forces for Taiwan independence, and to not make a fuss over nothing, engage in malicious speculation, and interfere with and undermine the relations between the two countries.' Hsiao assumed office, along with President Lai Ching-te, on May 20 last year. Czech relations with China have cooled in recent years. The Czechs accused China in May of being behind a cyberattack on the foreign ministry. Czech politicians have visited Taiwan and former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visited Prague last October. China views separately governed Taiwan as its own territory and has ramped up its military and political pressure in recent years. Taiwan says only its people can decide their future and vows to defend its freedom and democracy. — Reuters
CNA
29-06-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Taiwan vice-president says she will not be intimidated after Czech says China planned physical intimidation
PRAGUE: Taiwan's Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim said she will not be intimidated by China after Czech military intelligence said Chinese diplomats and secret service followed Hsiao and planned to intimidate her physically when she visited Prague last year. Hsiao visited the Czech Republic in March 2024. Prague does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan but has fostered warm relations with the island, which China views as its own territory despite Taiwan's rejection. Czech media reported last year that a Chinese diplomat had run a red light when following her car. Czech public radio news website said on Thursday (Jun 26) that the Chinese had also planned to stage a demonstrative car crash. "I had a great visit to Prague & thank the Czech authorities for their hospitality & ensuring my safety. The CCP's unlawful activities will NOT intimidate me from voicing Taiwan's interests in the international community," Hsiao wrote in a post on X social media platform on Saturday, referring to the Chinese Communist Party. Her post was linked to the Reuters report on the incident. In a separate post on X, Hsiao thanked global parliamentarians who have expressed solidarity against "violence and coercion". "Taiwan will not be isolated by intimidation," Hsiao wrote. A Czech Military Intelligence spokesman said Chinese diplomats in Prague had taken actions that violated diplomatic rules. "This consisted of physically following the vice-president, gathering information on her schedule and attempts to document her meetings with important representatives of the Czech political and public scene," spokesman Jan Pejsek said in emailed comments to Reuters. "We even recorded an attempt by the Chinese civil secret service to create conditions to perform a demonstrative kinetic action against a protected person, which however did not go beyond the phase of preparation." A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, commenting on the matter, denied any wrongdoing by Chinese diplomats and also said the Czech Republic had interfered in China's internal affairs by allowing Hsiao's visit to go ahead. The Czech Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the Chinese ambassador over the incident at the time but did not comment further on Friday. "This is the CCP's criminality on display for the whole world to see. This isn't diplomacy, it's coercion," the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee wrote on X. TAIWAN PROTESTS Taiwan's China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said the Chinese actions "seriously threatened the personal safety of Vice President Hsiao and her entourage". "The Mainland Affairs Council today protested and strongly condemned the Chinese communist's bad behaviour and demanded that the Chinese side should immediately explain and publicly apologise," it said. A senior Taiwan security official briefed on the matter told Reuters the incident was an example of "transnational repression" by China that the European Union is currently paying close attention to. "This is a problem that everyone should pay attention to," the official requesting anonymity said, adding many government officials around the world were threatened by China upon visits made by Taiwanese officials or politicians to their countries. In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said: "Chinese diplomats have always abided by the laws and regulations of the countries in which they are stationed." "China urges the parties concerned not to be provoked and exploited by separatist forces for Taiwan independence, and to not make a fuss over nothing, engage in malicious speculation, and interfere with and undermine the relations between the two countries." Hsiao assumed office, along with President Lai Ching-te, on May 20 last year. Czech relations with China have cooled in recent years. The Czechs accused China in May of being behind a cyberattack on the foreign ministry. Czech politicians have visited Taiwan and former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visited Prague last October. China views separately governed Taiwan as its own territory and has ramped up its military and political pressure in recent years. Taiwan says only its people can decide their future and vows to defend its freedom and democracy.
