Taiwan’s Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim has expressed her determination not to be intimidated following reports from Czech intelligence suggesting that Chinese officials had plotted to orchestrate a car collision during her visit to Prague last year. Hsiao’s trip to the Czech Republic in March 2024 marked her and Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te’s first overseas visit since their election victory in January. At the time, there were reports that a Chinese diplomat had run a red light while pursuing her escort from the airport.
Recent revelations from Prague’s intelligence officials indicate that the red light incident was part of a broader scheme involving Chinese diplomats and intelligence operatives stationed at the Chinese embassy in Prague, which purportedly included plans to fabricate a car collision.
Hsiao took to social media on Saturday to thank Czech authorities for ensuring her safety during the visit, stating, “The CCP’s unlawful activities will NOT intimidate me from voicing Taiwan’s interests in the international community.”
The details of this alleged plan were disclosed by Czech public radio service Irozhlas on Thursday. Petr Bartovský, the head of the Czech military intelligence, informed Irozhlas that while the driver stopped by police was indeed following Hsiao, the intelligence agency had uncovered plans orchestrated from the Chinese embassy to create a “demonstrative confrontation” with her.
Jan Pejšek, the spokesperson for the intelligence service, elaborated that the operation aimed at positioning the Chinese civil secret service for a potential “demonstrative kinetic action” against a protected individual, which was perceived to be a collision involving Hsiao’s vehicle. Pejšek noted that the extent of the actions by the Chinese involved posed a significant risk to Hsiao. “These activities, which flagrantly breach the obligations arising from the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations,” were reportedly executed by individuals holding diplomatic roles within the Chinese embassy in Prague.
In a statement on Friday, Taiwan’s mainland affairs council condemned the alleged actions by China, asserting that they “seriously threatened the personal safety of Vice-President Hsiao and her entourage,” and called for an explanation and a public apology from China.
Responding to these allegations, Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson from the Chinese foreign ministry, stated that Chinese diplomats “always observe the laws and regulations of host countries” and accused the Czech government of “grossly interfering in China’s internal affairs” by permitting Hsiao’s visit, labeling her a “diehard Taiwan independence separatist.” China has issued severe threats against individuals labeled as separatists, including capital punishment.
China further urged parties involved to avoid being influenced by “Taiwan independence” promoters and to stop actions that disrupt bilateral relations. While the Czech foreign ministry acknowledged summoning the Chinese ambassador regarding this incident, it refrained from making additional comments on Friday.
Beijing continues to assert its claim over Taiwan, viewing it as a province of China that is currently ruled by separatists, and vehemently resists any international recognition of Taiwan’s democratically elected government.