TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Analysts suggest that China may express opposition to former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's (蔡英文) plans to visit the Czech Republic (捷克) on Saturday (Oct. 12) to attend the Forum 2000, yet this visit underscores Taiwan's growing ties with European nations.
This will mark Tsai's first overseas trip since leaving office in May.
Tsai will deliver a 10- to 15-minute speech at the event. According to Reuters, anonymous diplomatic sources revealed that she will also visit France and Belgium. Analysts believe her trip highlights Europe's continued importance as a diplomatic focus for Taiwan.
Lev Nachman, a political scholar from National Taiwan University, noted that the Czech Republic remains one of the most willing European countries to openly engage with Taiwan.
During Tsai's presidency, Czech President Petr Pavel (帕維爾) had a phone conversation with her in January 2023, illustrating the deepening relations between the two nations.
Chen Fang-yu (陳方隅), an associate professor at Soochow University, anticipates that Beijing might retaliate against countries hosting Tsai. Meanwhile, Marcin Jerzewski (葉皓勤), director of the European Values Center for Security Policy's Taiwan office, stated that Tsai's visit sends a powerful signal of Taiwan's desire to be a steadfast partner to Europe.
Jerzewski also noted that Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA, 外交部) has adjusted its approach toward Europe, establishing industrial zones in the Czech Republic as a reflection of Taiwan's current government's priorities.
This visit aims to prioritize Taiwan's interactions with European countries, and Jerzewski expects President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) administration to further strengthen trade and economic ties with Central and Eastern Europe.
