Taiwan's Tsai Ing-wen Visits Prague Amid Tensions

Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen visited Prague where she addressed the Forum 2000 conference, emphasizing Taiwan's role in defending democracy against authoritarian regimes. Her visit, which included meetings with Czech President Petr Pavel and other officials, sparked strong objections from China's embassy, which condemned any pro-independence actions by Taiwan. Tsai's speech highlighted the need for democratic nations to unite against growing threats from authoritarianism, referencing recent Chinese military exercises as a demonstration of aggression. She called for international cooperation to counter economic coercion and information manipulation by authoritarian states. This diplomatic exchange reflects the Czech Republic's increasing ties with Taiwan despite China's territorial claims, amid rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait. The visit represents a significant moment in regional diplomacy as Taiwan seeks allies in Eastern and Central Europe.