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China, Czech Republic at Odds After Czech Officials Visit Taiwan

Joyce Huang

   China is warning of retaliation in response to a visit to Taiwan by a
   Czech Senate delegation, saying Senate President Milos Vystrcil crossed
   a "red-line" and violated the one-China principle under which Beijing
   asserts sovereignty over the island.

   As part of the business trip, which ended Friday, Vystrcil delivered a
   speech in Taiwan's parliament and met with President Tsai Ing-wen.
   China said Vystrcil's visit was an "open provocation," with Foreign
   Minister Wang Yi warning that Vystrcil would "pay a heavy price." The
   threat led to criticism from European Union leaders. China considers
   Taiwan a renegade province.

   Analysts in the Czech Republic say actions taken by China, if any, may
   include freezing diplomatic ties with Prague, liquidating China-owned
   stakes in several Czech companies and restricting Prague-bound Chinese
   tourists.

   They said such action will have a limited impact on the Czech economy
   given its low dependence on Beijing, yet, may trigger a concerted
   response from some other European countries. The government in Prague,
   led by Czech President Miloš Zeman and Prime Minister Andrej Babis,
   still favors closer ties to China.

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