Thu, Feb 02, 2023 page8

• A good start for new Czech leader

  • By Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy
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  On Monday, Czech president-elect Petr Pavel held a phone call with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文). Pavel reportedly said Taiwan is a trustworthy partner, and the Czech Republic would support Taiwan in upholding its democracy free from authoritarian coercion.

  Given Taiwan’s growing diplomatic isolation due to Chinese obstruction, many described the gesture as a diplomatic coup for Taipei — and rightly so. In a European context, the president-elect’s phone call with Tsai is without precedent.

  Beyond setting a new European precedent, the phone call contributes meaningfully to Taiwan’s further internationalization, a process that has built up global awareness of Taiwan on its own merit as a partner in solving international problems. Ironically, it is Beijing and its aggressive behavior that have done the most to facilitate this process.

  Monday’s phone call did not occur in a vacuum, but rather in the context of a gradual strengthening of Czech-Taiwanese exchanges over the past few years. Notably, this also takes place against a backdrop of growing negative perceptions of China across the Czech Republic — and other EU members.

  The Czech Republic and Taiwan have recently become more aware of each other’s importance and relevance in tackling common challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and mounting authoritarian threats.

  Throughout the pandemic, the two sides benefited from each other’s generosity, exchanging masks and vaccines. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February last year and Beijing’s tacit support of Moscow in pursuing its brutal war, Prague and Taipei have become closer still, further strengthening bilateral relations. Taiwan was quick to condemn the war, and in line with international moves, also announced economic sanctions against Russia.

  Moreover, in the spirit of “Taiwan can help,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a campaign and collected donations to help Ukrainians seeking refuge in central and eastern Europe. Taiwanese found inspiration in the Ukrainians’ courage to stand up to the aggressor, just as they face a constant threat from their own aggressive neighbor.

  The Czech government has already signaled its readiness to review ties with Beijing. The president-elect has previously described China as a threat as it expands across the globe. This comes in sharp contrast to the pro-Beijing posture of Czech President Milos Zeman.

  However, Zeman’s bond with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) did not stand in the way of Prague forging closer links with Taiwan. In 2020, under the leadership of Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib, the Czech capital switched to Taipei as a sister city, at the expense of Beijing.

  Through the framework of city diplomacy, the two agreed to cooperate in the fields of economics, business, technology, science and culture. This helped to bring Taiwan closer and fostered positive sentiments between their respective citizens.

  Pavel’s phone call with Tsai therefore reflects a foreign policy direction in support of democracy, and therefore of a stronger Europe. This direction entails closer cooperation with Taiwan and requires a rethink of ties with China.

  It sends Beijing the message that despite its threats, Prague will uphold its right to cooperate with Taiwan as a close partner, in line with the Czech government’s Indo-Pacific agenda. It also sends a message to Taipei that Prague considers Taiwan an important and reliable partner in the region.

  Finally, it brings the kind of recognition and respect that Taiwan seeks and deserves, but seldom receives given its abnormal international status.

  The call also suggests that Taipei can count on Prague, which will continue to build on the bilateral cooperation it has already been cultivating. Going forward, Taipei must do its own part, and how Taipei capitalizes on the growing support it is receiving would be just as important as the phone call itself.

  Alongside the rest of the EU’s member states, Prague and Taipei are in a learning process on how to cope with a new geopolitical reality. They share the sense of urgency needed to address all forms of authoritarian threat that an aggressive China and Russia present.

  Considering the strong pro-European stance of the Czech government and of the president-elect, Prague will likely pursue a European approach to Taiwan. As it continues to subscribe to the EU’s “one China” policy, Prague’s readiness to assert its right to cooperate with Taiwan injects new energy into Europe’s often half-hearted efforts to stand up to authoritarian threats. Therefore, this is not only a moment for the Czech Republic and Taiwan, but for the EU, too. Europe must seize the opportunity.

  Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy is an assistant professor at National Dong Hwa University.
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