by Richard Sanders, Staff Writer
Czech parliamentarian Marek Benda, who is leading a four-member delegation in Taiwan, criticized China’s military threats in the Taiwan Strait and expressed gratitude to Taipei for its support of Ukraine. During a meeting with President William Lai at the Presidential Office, Benda emphasized that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are essential not only for Taiwan and China but also for the security of shipping routes across Southeast Asia. He firmly rejected the military intimidation from the People’s Republic of China.
Benda highlighted the collaborative efforts of Taiwan and the Czech Republic in upholding democracy and human rights in the face of larger powers, likely referring to China and Russia. He thanked Taiwan for its solidarity with Ukraine amid ongoing conflict with Russian forces. He noted that bilateral relations could be strengthened through cooperation in the semiconductor and cultural sectors, pointing out the interest of Czech businesses in joining global semiconductor supply chains.
President Lai expressed his eagerness for increased cooperation in areas such as semiconductors, information security, and culture. He mentioned recent initiatives, including the establishment of the Czech Center Taipei and the launch of direct flights between Taipei and Prague.
Accompanying Benda were three other Czech parliamentarians: Eva Decroix, Jakub Michalek, and Jan Jakob. In related developments, a group of Danish parliamentarians, led by former speaker Pia Kjarsgaard, visited Taiwan and affirmed their support for the island amid rising Chinese military pressure. Kjarsgaard, making her ninth trip to Taiwan, emphasized the stark contrast between Taiwan’s open society and China. She praised Taiwan’s advancements in technology, energy, and public health, asserting that its participation in international organizations benefits the global community. Other members of the Danish delegation included Mikkel Bjorn, Steffen Larsen, Kim Aas, and Henrik Thorup. The last visit from a Danish parliamentary group occurred in 2019, also under Kjarsgaard’s leadership.
