The newly formed Czech government has refused to authorize a state aircraft for Senate President Milos Vystrcil's planned visit to Taiwan, signaling a foreign policy shift toward Beijing. The decision, announced by Prime Minister Andrej Babis, highlights a growing institutional divide in Prague over cross-strait relations and Czech commercial interests in China.
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded Tuesday, calling Vystrcil a "solid friend" of Taiwan while noting that high-level bilateral visits require confirmation from both sides.
New Government Pivots Toward Beijing
The diplomatic friction follows a change of government in the Czech Republic late last year. After the October 2025 parliamentary elections brought the far right to the speakership of the Chamber of Deputies, Babis — widely described by Czech media as a populist figure and often dubbed the "Czech Trump" — formed a new cabinet in December and announced his administration's intention to improve ties with Beijing. Babis is reportedly considering a state visit to China in June.
In a video exceeding 17 minutes posted to social media on the 19th, Babis stated that his administration had not approved the use of a government aircraft for Vystrcil's travel to Taiwan. Vystrcil had recently told Czech media of his hopes to visit Taiwan before the summer, in a trip that could partially overlap with the Prime Minister's planned China visit.
Babis also criticized Vystrcil and former Chamber of Deputies Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová, arguing their diplomatic engagements with Taiwan undermine Czech commercial interests in China, and emphasized that his government would not follow the policies of the previous parliamentary leadership. Adamová was awarded the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon by President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) in January.
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry Responds
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) addressed the developments at a routine press conference on Tuesday. Spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) described Vystrcil as a "solid friend" of Taiwan and said the ministry welcomes his potential visit. Hsiao added that high-level bilateral visits require mutual confirmation and logistical arrangements, and that MOFA will provide updates once a finalized itinerary emerges.
Under the Czech constitution, the Senate President ranks second only to the President. Despite the denial of a government aircraft, historical precedent exists for alternative arrangements: during Vystrcil's landmark visit to Taiwan in August 2020, when he led a 90-member delegation, the group traveled on a chartered flight operated by China Airlines.
During that 2020 visit, Vystrcil addressed Taiwan's Legislative Yuan and, quoting former U.S. President John F. Kennedy's 1963 Berlin speech, declared "I am Taiwanese" in Mandarin. He has since maintained close ties with Taipei, hosting former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) at the Czech Senate and displaying Taiwan's national flag during her attendance at the Forum 2000 conference in October 2024.
Taiwanese officials had previously expressed cautious optimism about the incoming Czech administration. MOFA's Department of European Affairs Director-General Huang Chun-yao (黃鈞耀) stated at the time that bilateral ties rested on a long-term foundation, while Deputy Foreign Minister François Chih-chung Wu (吳志中) told Czech media that Prague remains a vital democratic partner in Europe, expressing hope the new government would continue to deepen bilateral cooperation. （Related： Opinion | Taiwan’s Food Waste Could Fuel Carbon Markets—But Only If the Foundations Are Built First ｜ Latest ）
