On Friday, Taiwan’s primary body responsible for China policy, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), announced that Hsiao Bi-khim’s motorcade was observed and followed in anticipation of a potential ramming incident during her visit to the Czech Republic in March 2024.
Taiwan’s vice president has asserted that she will not be cowed by Beijing following accusations that Chinese embassy officials attempted to ram her vehicle during an official visit to Europe.
Taiwan’s primary body overseeing China policy, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), announced on Friday that Hsiao Bi-khim’s motorcade was surveilled and tracked in anticipation of a ramming incident during her March 2024 trip to the Czech Republic.
The council, referencing an investigation by a Czech intelligence agency, indicated that personnel from the Chinese Embassy in Prague were implicated in the incident.
Jan Pejsek, a spokesperson for Czech military intelligence, informed AFP on Sunday that Hsiao was targeted by “individuals legally employed in diplomatic roles at the Chinese Embassy in Prague.”
He stated that they followed her and sought details regarding Hsiao’s schedule and meetings with Czech officials.
“We even documented attempts by the Chinese civil secret service to establish conditions for a demonstrative kinetic action against a protected individual, which, however, did not progress beyond the preparatory phase,” Pejsek remarked.
Hsiao, who was vice president-elect during the trip, shared on social media on Saturday that she “had a wonderful visit to Prague & expressed gratitude to the Czech authorities for their hospitality & for ensuring my safety.”
“The CCP’s illegal activities will NOT deter me from advocating for Taiwan’s interests on the global stage,” she stated.
“Taiwan will not be isolated through intimidation,” she emphasized.
‘Violent nature’
Similar to most nations, Prague does not maintain official diplomatic relations with Taipei.
China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has significantly increased the deployment of fighter jets and warships around the self-governing island in recent years. Additionally, it has endeavored to erase Taiwan from the international arena by luring away its diplomatic allies and obstructing its participation in global forums.
On Friday, Taipei reported that “the Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic monitored, surveilled, and even attempted to obstruct the motorcade, posing a serious threat to the personal safety of Vice President Hsiao and her entourage.”
Furthermore, it stated that the incident revealed the CCP’s “violent nature” and its lack of “sincerity” in communication.
A security official from Taiwan, who spoke to AFP on the condition of anonymity, described the situation as a “typical case” of China’s “transnational repression” against dissidents or critics of the Chinese government.
According to the official, “China exploits legal grey areas to intimidate, threaten, or oppress their targets.”
The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), an international organization that has scrutinized Beijing’s human rights practices, issued a statement endorsed by 51 lawmakers from nearly 30 countries, expressing support for Hsiao and “Taiwanese citizens who may face coercion from the Chinese state while traveling abroad.”
In response, Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, stated on Friday that Prague had breached the “One-China principle” and its political commitments to China by permitting Hsiao, whom they labeled a staunch “Taiwan independence” activist, to visit.
He asserted, “Chinese diplomats consistently adhere to the laws and regulations of host nations.” He also cautioned other countries against being manipulated by “Taiwan independence” separatists to “create disturbances” and jeopardize relations with China.
