Latest news with #HsiaoBi-khim
Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
China planned car crash during Taiwan vice-president's Prague visit, says Czech intelligence
Taiwan's Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim has said she will not be intimidated after Czech intelligence revealed a reported Chinese plan to stage a car crash during her official visit to Prague in 2024. According to The Guardian, the Czech Republic's military intelligence said Chinese diplomats and intelligence officials based at the Chinese embassy in Prague had planned a staged 'demonstrative kinetic action' targeting Hsiao's motorcade during her visit. Hsiao travelled to the Czech Republic in March 2024, in her first overseas trip after Taiwan's January election, alongside President Lai Ching-te. At the time, it was reported that a Chinese diplomat had run a red light while following her convoy from the airport. This week, Czech officials told local media that the incident was part of a broader plan. Director of Czech military intelligence Petr Bartovský told public broadcaster Irozhlas that the driver stopped by police had been following Hsiao's convoy, and that intelligence services had uncovered further plans being developed within the Chinese embassy. A spokesperson for the agency, Jan Pejšek, told Irozhlas: 'It was 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.' According to The Guardian, this was understood to mean a staged car crash. Pejšek added that other actions taken by Chinese officials had come close to putting Hsiao in danger. He said these activities 'flagrantly breach the obligations arising from the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations' and were carried out by individuals with diplomatic status at the Chinese embassy. Hsiao thanked Czech authorities for keeping her safe. On Saturday, she posted on social media: 'The CCP's unlawful activities will NOT intimidate me from voicing Taiwan's interests in the international community.' Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council strongly criticised the reported plan, calling it a serious threat to Hsiao's safety. The council demanded a public apology and explanation from China. A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, Guo Jiakun, responded by saying that Chinese diplomats 'always observe the laws and regulations of host countries.' He also criticised the Czech government for allowing the visit, describing it as 'gross interference in China's internal affairs.' Guo referred to Hsiao as a 'diehard Taiwan independence separatist,' a label that in China carries harsh penalties, including the threat of the death sentence. The Czech foreign ministry confirmed that it had summoned the Chinese ambassador over the incident at the time. It did not give additional comment on Friday. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes any diplomatic recognition of Taiwan's elected government. It routinely criticises foreign governments that host Taiwanese officials.
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Czech intel: China plotted to intimidate Taiwan VP-elect
PRAGUE: Chinese diplomats and secret service followed Taiwan's Vice-President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim and planned to intimidate her physically when she visited Prague last year, Czech military intelligence said on Friday. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Czechs say China followed, planned intimidation of Taiwan vice-president
PRAGUE - Chinese diplomats and secret service followed Taiwan's Vice-President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim and planned to intimidate her physically when she visited Prague last year, Czech military intelligence said on Friday. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Czech Intelligence Reveals China Plan to Crash Into Taiwan Vice President-Elect
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Chinese agents operating out of Beijing's embassy in Prague planned to stage a car collision targeting Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim during her visit to the Czech capital last year, according to an explosive report. The Czech Republic's military intelligence chief condemned the plot to intimidate Hsiao, which was ultimately not carried out, describing it as "unprecedented" by China in Europe. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese embassy in Prague via emailed request for comment. Why It Matters China claims Taiwan—formally known as the Republic of China—as its territory, though the island has never been governed by the Chinese Communist Party. Taiwan functions as a de facto sovereign state, with its own legal system, military and international relations. China has frequently pressured other countries not to engage with Taiwanese officials. In 2022, China temporarily blocked trade with Lithuania after the Baltic nation allowed Taiwan to open a representative office using the name "Taiwan," a move Beijing viewed as a challenge to its "One China" policy. What To Know Chinese agents plotted a "demonstrative kinetic action" targeting Hsiao during her March 2024 visit to Prague, her first trip abroad since she and President Lai Ching-te's election victory, according to Czech military intelligence cited by public broadcaster Czech Radio. Agency director Petr Bartovský told Czech Radio that the plan involved staging a collision with the car carrying Hsiao, though he confirmed the attempt "did not go beyond the planning stage." However, a Chinese diplomat ran a red light in central Prague while trying to maintain surveillance of the Taiwanese delegation. Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, left and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, right, wave after his inaugural speech after being sworn into office at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei , Taiwan, on May 20, 2024. Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, left and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, right, wave after his inaugural speech after being sworn into office at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei , Taiwan, on May 20, 2024. Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images Military intelligence spokesperson Jan Pejšek said China's actions were bordering on endangering Hsiao and that Chinese officials had been "gathering information about her schedule, and attempting to document her meetings with prominent figures from the Czech political and public spheres." The vice president was not considered to be in real danger, however, as Czech security forces were present and ready to intervene if necessary, per the report. Czech Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mariana Wernerová declined to provide details, citing the sensitivity of the case, but confirmed the ministry had communicated with Beijing about the events. Taiwan Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo condemned China's actions, thanked Czech authorities and said Taiwanese security was aware of the intelligence at the time, Focus Taiwan reported. What People Are Saying Jan Pejšek, spokesperson for the Czech Military Intelligence Service, told Czech Radio: "These activities, which flagrantly violate the obligations arising from the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, were carried out, among other things, by persons legalized in diplomatic positions at the Chinese Embassy in Prague." Kuang-ting Chen, a lawmaker in Taiwan's Legislative Yuan, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "Hiding behind diplomatic immunity to interfere with another nation's sovereignty and endanger personal safety is a flagrant violation of international law. This incident once again exposes Beijing's export of authoritarianism and pattern of transnational repression." What's Next The intelligence report is likely to boost pro-Taiwan sentiment in Prague, already strong in light of Chinese pressure campaigns in recent years. Asked to comment on the report Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the Czech Republic had seriously violated the One China Principle by allowing "Taiwan independence hardliners" such as Hsiao to visit. "I want to emphasize that Chinese diplomatic personnel have always adhered to the laws and regulations of the host country. China urges the relevant parties not to be provoked or manipulated by Taiwan independence separatist forces, and not to create unnecessary trouble or malicious hype that undermines bilateral relations," he added. President Lai's Beijing-skeptic administration is expected to continue sending Taiwanese delegations overseas to shore up ties with friendly countries.
Japan Forward
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Pandas Exit, Taiwan Enters as Shirahama Charts New Course
このページを 日本語 で読む Shirahama Mayor Yasuhiro Oe has been giving serious thought to the town's future. Rather than lamenting the return of all four giant pandas from its well-known leisure facility, Adventure World, he's turning his focus toward a broader vision. The pandas are set to leave for China at the end of June, taking with them one of Shirahama's most iconic tourist attractions. In an interview with The Sankei Shimbun , Oe, formerly a member of the House of Councillors, outlined his intention to strengthen ties with Taiwan. "I want to engage with regions that share our values," he said. Read part one here It probably did. Nikai had such close ties to China that some said he could meet with President Xi Jinping more easily than even Japan's prime minister. If he were still in office, I doubt China would have made Adventure World return all the pandas simply because the contract had ended. Actually, on the night of April 24, right after the news broke, a Diet member friend called and said, "Moriyama and Yuko Obuchi are heading to China over Golden Week (the end of April). Should we ask them to request an extension for you?" I appreciated the offer, but I declined and said, "No, thank you." Because I don't believe we must absolutely get the pandas back. If Adventure World had asked for help lobbying for an extension, that would be one thing. But ultimately, this is a matter between Adventure World and China. During talks with Adventure World, I also sensed they didn't want to become politically involved in this issue. Hiroshi Moriyama (far right), chair of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentary League, shakes hands with Liu Jianchao, head of the Chinese Communist Party's International Liaison Department. Beijing, April 28. (Pool photograph) I believe the timing was intentional. China likely wanted to maintain control of the situation and preserve its political leverage. Nevertheless, the shock was very real. During Golden Week, crowds rushed to see the pandas one last time before their departure. This past April, a Chinese Communist Party official from Chenghua visited and expressed interest in formalizing the partnership. I told them, "That could be difficult." I have no intention of pursuing a full sister-city relationship. My hope lies with Taiwan. It's a country that shares Japan's core values: freedom, democracy, and human rights. I want to build ties with partners who uphold those principles. Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (©Sankei by Kiyoshi Ouchi) I'm planning to visit Taiwan and meet with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim on May 22. We've known each other since my days in the Diet. I intend to explain Shirahama's situation and ask her directly for support." As long as I'm mayor of Shirahama, I'll accept the reality that we no longer have pandas. I have no intention of asking the Ishiba administration to bring them back. But if Taiwan is willing to support us in other ways, I'd welcome that wholeheartedly." Author: Shimpei Okuhara, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
