The Czech government is considering listing a military attache at the Chinese embassy in Prague as persona non grata after reports that they allegedly followed vice president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) during her visit to the Central European country last month.
European Values Center for Security Policy director Jakub Janda on Friday cited Czech-language Web site Seznam Zpravy as reporting that a Chinese diplomat had been stopped by police while following Hsiao’s motorcade as it entered Prague from the airport.
The Czech Police Protective Service provided security for Hsiao, who was visiting at the invitation of Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil, the report said.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Police stopped a car tailing Hsiao’s motorcade when it ran a red light, and upon inspection, they discovered that the driver was “a Chinese diplomat from the military section of the Chinese embassy in Prague,” it said, adding that the surveillance of Hsiao “continued to her hotel in Prague.”
Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavsky spoke with Chinese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Feng Biao (馮?) about the incident and “does not consider the issue to be closed,” the report said.
Citing Czech government sources, it said that Prague is considering listing the individual as persona non grata.
In Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that while in Europe, Hsiao had also met with Czech Chamber of Deputies Deputy Speaker Jan Bartosek, Lithuanian Seimas Speaker Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, Polish Senate Deputy Marshal Michal Kaminski, and lawmakers from Estonia and Latvia.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Wang Ting-yu (王定宇) yesterday said the alleged following of Hsiao was shameful conduct for a major world power.
The act underscored that Beijing is not only unwilling to play by established international rules, it disrespects the sovereignty of other nations, Wang said.
DPP Legislator Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) said it was not a small issue and likely not an isolated incident, urging other democratic countries to condemn Beijing’s actions.
Hsiao’s low-profile visit to Europe contrasted with the attention-grabbing tailing of the incoming vice president by China, and underscores Beijing’s efforts to stop at nothing to undermine Taipei’s efforts to broaden its international relations, she said.
DPP Legislator Chen Kuan-ting (陳冠廷) called Beijing’s actions deplorable, adding that the incident calls attention to China’s abuse of diplomatic immunity to conduct acts of espionage.
Taiwan should work with the international community to implement measures that would prevent China’s rampant interventionism and illegal tailing of individuals overseas, he said.
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