Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu is scheduled to visit Europe next week and will address a security conference in Prague on June 14. The conference, which will be opened by Czech President Petr Pavel, has confirmed the presence of Minister Wu. However, there are no plans for a meeting between the president and the Taiwanese foreign minister, according to Pavel’s spokeswoman Marketa Rehakova.

China has issued a warning to European countries, cautioning them against official contact with Taiwanese officials and expressing concerns about support for “forces promoting Taiwan’s independence,” as reported by Chinese diplomats and cited by Reuters. This warning underscores China’s stance on Taiwan, which it considers as part of its territory, and its firm opposition to any actions that could be interpreted as recognition of Taiwanese independence.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky acknowledged being informed about Minister Wu’s visit but stated that he would be in Africa at the time and thus unable to meet with him. Lipavsky also emphasized that the Czech government adheres to a clear policy in its relations with Taiwan and does not anticipate any deviation from it.

The Czech Republic, like most countries, follows the “One China” policy, officially recognizing mainland China as the legitimate government of China. As a result, Taiwan has no formal diplomatic relations with any European country except the Vatican. Beijing has consistently urged other countries to refrain from engaging with Taiwanese officials to avoid giving the impression of recognizing Taiwan’s independence.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin stressed the importance of the “One China” principle and urged European countries to abide by their commitments to China. Wang also warned the Taiwanese authorities against pursuing separatist actions or seeking recognition from foreign powers, stating that such endeavors would inevitably fail.

Despite China’s protests, the Czech Republic has maintained multiple contacts with Taiwan in recent times. President Pavel spoke with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen following his election in January, and in March, Marketa Pekarova Adamova, the head of the Chamber of Deputies, visited Taiwan.

Minister Wu’s visit and his address at the security conference in Prague are expected to generate attention and further discussion on the complex dynamics between Taiwan, China, and European countries, particularly regarding diplomatic and official exchanges.

Article by Prague Forum