The Czech Republic has launched an automatic immigration clearance system (e-gate) for Taiwan passport holders that began yesterday.
The reciprocal program meant to provide electronic immigration processing at both countries’ respective airports makes the country Taiwan’s ninth e-gate partner worldwide, following agreements with countries such as Australia, Germany, Italy, South Korea, the US, Singapore and others.
Even with the e-gate system at the Vaclav Havel Airport Prague, Taiwan passport holders still need to have their travel documents stamped by customs officers when entering the country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Photo courtesy of China Airlines
The e-gate system means they now have more options in choosing to go through either e-gates or traditional immigration booths at the Prague airport, it said.
The latest announcement came after a direct flight service was launched on July 18 from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to the Vaclav Havel Airport Prague.
Taipei has once again made it to the top 100 in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2025 report, moving up five places from last year to 60. The annual index, which was published last month, evaluated 1,000 of the most populated metropolises based on five indices — economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance. New York maintained its top spot this year, placing first in the economics index thanks to the strength of its vibrant financial industry and economic stability. Taipei ranked 263rd in economics, 44th in human capital, 15th in quality of life, 284th for environment and 75th in governance,
A former officer in China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) who witnessed the aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre has warned that Taiwan could face a similar fate if China attempts to unify the country by force. Li Xiaoming (李曉明), who was deployed to Beijing as a junior officer during the crackdown, said Taiwanese people should study the massacre carefully, because it offers a glimpse of what Beijing is willing to do to suppress dissent. “What happened in Tiananmen Square could happen in Taiwan too,” Li told CNA in a May 22 interview, ahead of the massacre’s 36th anniversary. “If Taiwanese students or
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