Vice-president of Taiwan has expressed her determination to stand firm despite revelations by Czech intelligence about a planned car collision intended when she was in Prague last year.
Hsiao Bi-khim's trip to the Czech Republic took place this March 2024, marking her first overseas journey with president Lai Ching-te following their recent election win in January. During that time, an incident occurred where a Chinese diplomat allegedly ran a red light while pursuing Hsiao's vehicle – escorted by police from the airport.
More recently this week, Czech intelligence officials disclosed to local media these events were part of an extensive and escalatory scheme orchestrated by some Chinese representatives at their embassy in Prague—including plans for a false car accident involving Hsiao.
In response on Saturday, Vice-president expressed her gratitude towards Czech authorities' efforts to ensure her safety during the visit. “The unlawful actions of CCP will NOT intimidate me from voicing Taiwan’s interests in the international arena,” she declared via social media channels.
These new insights about Vice-president Hsiao were brought forward by Czech public radio station, Irozhlas, on Thursday afternoon. The Director of the Czech military intelligence service, Petr Bartovský, provided these details to Irozhlas and disclosed that while they believed a Chinese diplomat was following behind her car, further evidence indicated more extensive plots originating from within their embassy in Prague—intended as demonstrations against Hsiao.
Jan Pejšek, representative for the intelligence service clarified these intentions involved not only monitoring but also potentially provocative actions aimed at creating dangerous circumstances involving a protected individual like Vice-president and her group of advisors – understood to be car accidents according to local reports. He highlights that such behaviour is in clear violation of Vienna Convention normatives surrounding diplomatic relations, pointing out the involvement by certain embassy staff as primary agents behind these actions against Hsiao’
The Mainland Affairs Council from Taiwan responded critically towards China's allegedly threatening conduct. They have condemned such activities that they believe “threaten to compromise personal safety of vice-president and her entourage.” The council has urged for an explanation as well a public apology in reaction to this matter according to Friday’s reports from the body'
A statement was provided by Guo Jiakun, spokesperson at Chinese Foreign Ministry. He reassured that their diplomats always comply with host nation laws and regulations; meanwhile he criticized Czech government for interfering excessively in China-internal matters—an act which they believe is a breach of the Vienna Convention'
The statement from the Czech foreign ministry, as stated on Friday afternoon following these events at their embassy related to Hsiao’s visit – it was decided that diplomatic talks had taken place with Chinese ambassador about this situation. They chose not to provide further commentary for now afterward.'
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