Taiwan has been the target of China’s aggressions and political onslaughts for years. Beijing has not only openly disregarded Taiwan’s sovereignty, security, and stability but has also threatened and pressured other nations into opposing Taiwan.
However, the arrival of a new president in the Czech Republic gives a ray of hope for Taiwan in Europe. In the face of the unjust wrath of Xi Jinping, Taipei can count on Petr Pavel for help.
The Czech Republic’s recognition of the One-China policy in 1979 negated the existence of the sovereignty of Taiwan. However, this has altered as of late, with Petr Pavel, the recently elected president of the Czech Republic, holding high-level discussions with Tsai Ing-wen, the president of Taiwan, in a clear gesture of defiance against China’s hegemony.
The discussions, which focused on values of democracy, freedom and human rights, come in the backdrop of rising tensions between Taiwan and China.
Pavel and Tsai emphasised deep partnership and close cooperation between the Czech Republic and Taiwan. Pavel also noted that he will visit Taiwan in the near future.
Czech Republic: A new friend for Taiwan
Pavel’s stance toward Taiwan is a complete deviation from the policy of his predecessor, Milos Zeman.
Zeman was pro-Chinese and a strategic ally of Beijing. During a meeting between Xi Jinping and Zeman, the Chinese president stressed the strengthening of ties between China and the Czech Republic and noted that the two leaders held many discussions on bilateral ties and governance experience.
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While the Czech Republic’s exports to China doubled, Chinese tourists in the Balkan nation increased by 250 per cent between 2013 and 2019.
In such a scenario of deep partnership with China, Zeman’s regime was extremely hostile toward Taiwan. Not only did Zeman refuse to acknowledge the territorial integrity and political sovereignty of Taiwan, but also attacked Czech’s Senate speaker, Milos Vystrcil, for visiting Taipei.
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However, with Petr Pavel’s arrival, the Czech Republic now has a leader who is not afraid of the hegemonic agenda and bullying tactics of China. Pavel exhibited a level of integrity and fairness by recognising the territorial integrity and political sovereignty of Taiwan. In geopolitical affairs, the demarcation of injustice and the embracement of fairness are indispensable ingredients of a successful foreign policy.
Generally, most nations are reluctant to address the issue of Taiwan, which has been the victim of years of Chinese manipulation, diplomatic isolation and military atrocities, because they don’t want to invite the wrath of Beijing.
However, things are starting to change for Taiwan. As Zeman, who persistently furthered the nefarious agenda of Xi Jinping, is gone, Taipei has the backing of the Czech Republic.
Hope for Taipei in the Balkans
The new policy of the Czech Republic can prompt other Balkan nations to change their stance on Taiwan i.e. supporting its cause. The probability of a domino effect in the Balkan region is apparent as seen earlier in the case of Romania.
Romania escaped the dominant shadow of the US and Europe by consolidating its military capability. Bucharest insinuated that it can take care of its internal needs without the assistance of Biden, Macron and Leyen.
This resulted in other Balkan nations following the example of Romania and escaping the hegemonic control of the US and EU. Romania’s decision to leave the authoritarian camp of Western hegemony created a wave of anti-West sentiments in the Balkans.
Similarly, Pavel’s drastic policy shift with respect to Taiwan can encourage Bulgaria, Bosnia, Albania etc into accepting the sovereignty of Taiwan, establish ties with Taipei and reject the authoritarian rule of China.
Pavel’s declaration of support is a massive boost to the cause of Taiwan in the international arena. Taipei needs all the help it can get in confronting the sinister aggressions of China and very soon it will have the military and political backing of the Czech Republic.
