TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) engaged in a brief exchange with Czech President Petr Pavel (帕維爾) on Monday (Oct. 14) during the opening of the 28th Forum 2000 in Prague, according to Reuters.
Tsai attended the forum, initiated by former Czech President Václav Havel (哈維爾), to discuss democracy, human rights, and civil society. She emphasized Taiwan's frontline position in resisting authoritarian regimes, stating that Taiwan has been constantly threatened by the Chinese Communist regime for over half a century. Tsai planned to meet with Czech parliamentary leaders later that day.
President Pavel, who took office last January, addressed the forum, urging China to leverage its influence to end the Ukraine war and respect human rights. However, he did not plan a meeting with Tsai, according to his office. Pavel's remarks omitted any direct mention of China's military exercises around Taiwan on the same day.
During her speech, Tsai criticized authoritarian regimes for exporting their governance models through information warfare, threats, and invasions. "Taiwan stands at the forefront of these attacks," she said, highlighting China's latest military drills.
The Chinese Embassy in Prague did not immediately comment on Tsai's visit, while Chinese media cited a Foreign Ministry spokesperson expressing strong opposition to the visit.