China ‘planned car collision’ during Taiwan vice-president’s visit to Prague
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Diverging Reports Breakdown
Crowds gather for Budapest Pride march despite Orbán’s threat of ‘legal consequences’ – Europe live
Budapest Pride expected to be a rallying cry against Orbán’s rollback of rights. Severe weather warnings have been issued across southern Europe. Temperatures expected to get close to or locally even above 40C this weekend. European leaders failed to agree on the latest, 18th, package of sanctions at last night’s European Council meeting in Brussels. But the EU has agreed on rolling over the already existing sanctions against Russia, which were due to expire. In Germany, lawmakers agreed to suspend family reunification rights for refugees without asylum status as conservative chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government pursues a crackdown on immigration. It will be hot in Paris (32C) and still warm in London and Berlin 28C, and in Brussels 27C. The temperature is expected to reach 38C in Madrid on early Saturday afternoon, and 37C in Rome and Rome on Saturday evening. The weather is forecast to remain hot across the rest of the weekend, with temperatures expected to rise to 40C on Sunday.
Expected temperatures on early Saturday afternoon: Madrid 38C, Thessaloníki 38C, Florence 38C, Rome 37C, Lisbon 36C, Tirana 36C, Athens 35C.
It will be hot in Paris (32C) and still warm in London and Berlin 28C, and in Brussels 27C.
European leaders failed to agree on the latest, 18th, package of sanctions at last night’s European Council meeting in Brussels , with Hungary and Slovakia holding firm in their opposition to the proposed measures.
But it’s worth noting that the EU has agreed on rolling over the already existing sanctions against Russia, which were due to expire.
In Germany , lawmakers agreed to suspend family reunification rights for refugees without asylum status as conservative chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government pursues a crackdown on immigration .
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Estonia’s stated intention to let Nato allies’ nuclear-capable aircraft use its territory was a direct threat to Moscow. Share
6m ago 16.48 BST By Lili Rutai in Budapest “At least this brought the family together,” says Timi, 49, who came with 23-year-old daughter, Zsófi. Zsófi lives in Barcelona, and came home for Pride. She has attended multiple marches before, but this is the first time she brought her parents along. They are among the many for whom the restrictions on assembly were the last straw. “We came (to Pride) because they tried to ban it,” Timi says. “And we stand for every minority.”
Viki Márton, 46, a single parent, came with her 9-year-old daughter. For both of them, this is the first time at Pride. She was widowed, and, without a husband “this regime doesn’t treat us like a family,” she says, so she sympathises with sexual minorities. They came equipped with hats, water spray, and a swimsuit, more worried about heat than right-wing protesters.
“I want her to see the reality,” Márton added. “And I’m so excited to be here!” Share
32m ago 16.22 BST Here are some views from people attending the march in Budapest. “The right to assembly is a basic human right, and I don’t think it should be banned. Just because someone does not like the reason why you go to the street, or they do not agree with it, you still have the right to do so,” Krisztina Aranyi said. “This is about much more, not just about homosexuality, …. This is the last moment to stand up for our rights,” Eszter Rein Bodi said. “None of us are free until everyone is free,” one sign read. Share
2h ago 15.23 BST Helen Davidson Taiwan’s vice-president has said she will not be intimidated after reports by Czech intelligence that Chinese officials planned to stage a car collision when she was in Prague last year. Hsiao Bi-khim visited the Czech Republic in March 2024, in the first overseas visit by her and Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, after winning the election in January. It was reported at the time that a Chinese diplomat had run a red light while following her car – under police escort – from the airport. This week Prague intelligence officials told local media that the incident was part of a much larger and escalatory plan by Chinese diplomats and intelligence officers working out of the embassy in Prague, which included preparing to stage an apparent car collision. On Saturday, Hsiao thanked Czech authorities for ensuring her safety during the visit. “The CCP’s unlawful activities will NOT intimidate me from voicing Taiwan’s interests in the international community,” she said in a social media post. China ‘planned car collision’ during Taiwan vice-president’s visit to Prague Read more Share
2h ago 14.56 BST Poland’s departing president Andrzej Duda visited Ukraine on Saturday and urged Kyiv to be patient during the handover to his nationalist successor, Karol Nawrocki. Polish president-elect Nawrocki has said he is committed to keep helping Ukraine’s defences against Russia’s invasion, but has signalled a possible shift in Warsaw’s position by opposing Kyiv joining Western alliances such as Nato. “Please be patient,” Duda told reporters at a press conference with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “The world looks different from behind the presidential desk, slightly different from what it looks like to a candidate in elections.” Zelenskyy said he would “of course” invite Nawrocki to Ukraine after he assumes office. Share Updated at 15.30 BST
2h ago 14.24 BST Here are some of the first photos in from the Budapest pride match this afternoon… View image in fullscreen People attend The Budapest Pride March in Budapest, Hungary, June 28, 2025 Photograph: Lisa Leutner/Reuters View image in fullscreen A placard with a crossed out image depicting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is pictured as people gather for The Budapest Pride March in Budapest. Photograph: Bernadett Szabó/Reuters View image in fullscreen People holding a cross and religious books walk among participants in the Pride march in Budapest. Photograph: Rudolf Karancsi/AP Share
3h ago 13.45 BST A live feed of the Pride march in Budapest is now available at the top of this blog, you may need to refresh the page to see it there. You can also watch it here: Live Live Budapest hosts annual Pride march of LGBTQ communities – watch live Share
3h ago 13.40 BST Europe on alert as first major heatwave of 2025 pushes temperatures to 42C Sam Jones Authorities across Europe are on alert as the first heatwave of the summer pushes temperatures up to 42C (107.6F), as the fastest-warming continent continues to suffer the effects of the climate emergency. Spain’s state meteorological office, Aemet, issued a special heat warning on Friday, saying temperatures could reach 42C in some southern areas of the country over the coming days. “Very high and persistent temperatures are expected, both during the day and at night, which could pose a risk to exposed and/or vulnerable people,” Aemet said. Madrid’s health ministry also warned people to take extra care in the heat, reminding them to stay out of the sun, keep hydrated and pay close attention to those who are older, pregnant or who have chronic health conditions. Two-thirds of Portugal will be on high alert on Sunday for extreme heat and forest fires as temperatures of up to 42C are expected in Lisbon. As temperatures in Marseille approach 40C, authorities in France’s second-largest city have ordered public swimming pools to be made free of charge to help residents beat the Mediterranean heat. With peaks of 39C expected in Naples and Palermo, Sicily has ordered a ban on outdoor work in the hottest hours of the day, as has the Liguria region in northern Italy. The country’s trade unions are campaigning to extend the measure to other regions. In Venice – which has played host to the lavish three-day wedding celebrations of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez, guests, visitors and protesters are feeling the heat. “I try not to think about it, but I drink a lot of water and never stay still, because that’s when you get sunstroke,” Sriane Mina, an Italian student, told Agence France-Presse in the city. Europe on alert as first major heatwave of 2025 pushes temperatures to 42C Read more Share
4h ago 13.22 BST Crowds are beginning to gather in Budapest, here are some of the latest images coming through from photographers on the ground… View image in fullscreen A participant in Budapest, Hungary. Photograph: Rudolf Karancsi/AP View image in fullscreen People at the Pride march in Budapest, Hungary. Photograph: Rudolf Karancsi/AP Share Updated at 14.29 BST
4h ago 13.01 BST Lunchtime summary Record numbers of people are expected to take part in Budapest Pride on Saturday . Hungarians will join forces with campaigners and politicians from across Europe in the march that has become a potent symbol of pushback against the Hungarian government’s steady rollback of rights. “This weekend, all eyes are on Budapest,” Hadja Lahbib, the European commissioner for equality, told reporters in the Hungarian capital on Friday.
Organisers of Budapest Pride, which this year will mark its 30th anniversary, said the government was attempting to restrict peaceful protests by targeting them. “This event was one of the important milestones of the LGBTQ community,” said its spokesperson Máté Hegedüs.
Nicolae Ștefănuță, the vice-president of the European parliament, on Friday called on police to respect those attending the Budapest Pride march. “I would like to say that the police and institutions of the state have a duty to protect the citizens,” he said. “It’s as clear as possible.”
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, this week joined calls for Hungarian authorities to allow the event to go ahead. Hungarian prime minister Victor Orbán was swift to hit back, likening it to receiving orders from Moscow in communist times.
Weather warnings for this weekend were issued for large parts of the Mediterranean region, with temperatures expected to get above 40 degrees celsius this weekend. AFP reported that in Spain, emergency medical staff readied to deal with an expected surge in heatstroke cases, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, elderly people and people with chronic illnesses.
Polish president Andrzej Duda arrived in Kyiv on Saturday for a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Duda’s office said, as Kyiv aims to build support among allies at a critical juncture in its grinding war with Russia. Duda, a vocal supporter of Ukraine whose term ends in August, was greeted at the train station by foreign minister Andrii Sybiha, who called the Polish leader “Ukraine’s true friend”.
Two people were killed and at least 14 wounded when a Russian drone smashed into a residential high-rise in Ukraine’s Black Sea city of Odesa, authorities said on Saturday. Three children were among the wounded in the overnight attack, with one in critical condition, said regional governor Oleh Kiper.
Russian forces have taken control of the settlement of Chervona Zirka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region , the Russian defence ministry said on Saturday.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are preparing for the last party of their three-day wedding festivities in Venice as demonstrators mobilise for a final protest against the couple’s opulent nuptials in the Italian lagoon city. The Amazon founder, 61, and the former TV journalist, 55, exchanged vows in front of around 200 celebrity guests in a black-tie ceremony on the nearby island of San Giorgio Maggiore on Friday evening. Share
4h ago 12.48 BST Lisa O’Carroll The EU must come up with a more assertive response to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the violations of international law, the bloc’s former chief diplomat has said. In a strongly worded article, Josep Borrell said the EU had a “duty” to intervene and must come up with its own concerted plan to end the war instead of relying on the US. “Europe can no longer afford to linger at the margins,” he said in the article that was co-authored with Kalypso Nicolaïdis, an occasional adviser to the EU and professorial chair in international affairs at the Florence school of transnational governance at the European University Institute. “The EU needs a concerted plan. “Not only is Europe’s own security at stake, but more important, European history imposes a duty on Europeans to intervene in response to Israel’s violations of international law,” they say, adding: “Europeans cannot stay the hapless fools in this tragic story, dishing out cash with their eyes closed.” EU must have a stronger response over Gaza, says bloc’s former chief diplomat Read more Share
5h ago 12.11 BST The Associated Press has more on that overnight drone strike in Odesa, Ukraine: Two people died and at least 17 more were injured as Russian drones overnight struck the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa, Ukrainian authorities said on Saturday.
A drone slammed into a residential tower block in the city, causing damage to three floors and trapping residents, emergency services said. The two killed in the attack were a married couple, according to regional governor Oleh Kiper, who added that three children were among the injured. There was no immediate comment from Moscow. According to Russia’s defense ministry, over 40 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight and on Saturday morning, over western Russia and Kremlin-occupied Crimea. 0:58 Two dead and at least 14 injured in Russian drone attack on Odesa – video Share
China’s secret Taiwan plan exposed: Czech intel report says Beijing plotted car crash to scare Taipei’s VP-elect
Czech intelligence officials revealed that Chinese agents operating out of the Beijing embassy in Prague planned a staged car crash targeting Taiwan’s Vice President Hsiao Bi-Khim during her visit to Prague last year. The intelligence chief called the revelation ‘unprecedented’ by China in Europe. The officials concluded that the vice president was not considered to be in real danger; however, Czech security forces were present and ready to intervene if necessary. China claims Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China, as its territory. However, the island has never been governed by the Chinese Communist Party. Taiwan functions as a de facto sovereign state, with its legal system, military and international relations. In 2022, China temporarily blocked trade with Lithuania after the Baltic nation allowed Taiwan to open a representative office using the name “Taiwan” China argued that Taiwan challenges its “One China” policy.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, left and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, right, wave after his inaugural speech after being sworn into office at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei , Taiwan, on May 20, 2024. AFP
Amid the brewing tensions between China and Taiwan , Czech authorities revealed that Chinese agents operating out of the Beijing embassy in Prague planned a staged car crash targeting Taiwan’s Vice President Hsiao Bi-Khim. The Czech Republic’s military intelligence chief called it a plot to intimidate Taiwan’s vice president during her visit to Prague last year.
The intelligence chief went on to call the revelation “unprecedented” by China in Europe . Citing Czech military intelligence, the country’s public broadcaster, Czech Radio, reported that Chinese agents plotted a “demonstrative kinetic action” targeting Hsiao during her March 2024 visit to Prague.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
This was the Taiwanese Vice President’s first visit abroad since her and President Lai Ching-te’s election victory . Agency Director Petr Bartovský told Czech Radio that the Chinese plan involved staging a collision with the car carrying Hsiao. Bartovský made it clear that the attempt “did not go beyond the planning stage.”
A red light that led to the revelation
The intelligence report noted that the Chinese diplomat ran a red light in central Prague while trying to maintain surveillance over the Taiwanese delegation. Military intelligence spokesperson Jan Pejšek emphasised that China’s actions were almost endangering Hsiao and her team .
She noted that the Chinese officials had been “gathering information about her schedule and attempting to document her meetings with prominent figures from the Czech political and public spheres. The officials concluded that the vice president was not considered to be in real danger; however, Czech security forces were present and ready to intervene if necessary.
Emphasising the sensitivity of the information, Czech Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mariana Wernerová declined to provide more details on the matter. However, she confirmed that the Czech authorities had communicated their concerns to Beijing about the events.
Taiwan reacts
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo condemned China’s plot and thanked the Czech authorities. Kuo said that Taiwanese security was aware of the intelligence at the time, Focus Taiwan reported.
Kuang-ting Chen, a lawmaker in Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to condemn China’s action. “Hiding behind diplomatic immunity to interfere with another nation’s sovereignty and endanger personal safety is a flagrant violation of international law. This incident once again exposes Beijing’s export of authoritarianism and pattern of transnational repression,” China wrote on X.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
As a Taiwanese parliamentarian, I condemn in the strongest possible terms the egregious conduct of the Chinese diplomat in Prague who tailed, surveilled, and even attempted to ram the vehicle carrying then Vice President–elect Hsiao Bi-khim.
Hiding behind diplomatic immunity to… — 🇹🇼陳冠廷 Kuan-Ting Chen (@kuantingvision) June 26, 2025
It is pertinent to note that China claims Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China, as its territory. However, the island has never been governed by the Chinese Communist Party. Taiwan functions as a de facto sovereign state, with its legal system, military and international relations.
China has often pressured other nations not to engage with the Taiwanese delegation. In 2022, China temporarily blocked trade with Lithuania after the Baltic nation allowed Taiwan to open a representative office using the name “Taiwan.” China argued that recognising Taiwan challenges its “One China” policy.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
‘CCP will NOT stop me’: Did China try to crash Taiwan VP’s car? Czech intelligence uncovers shocking kill plot, Hsiao reacts
Taiwan’s vice president, Hsiao Bi-khim, has responded defiantly after revelations that Chinese diplomats in Prague were involved in a plan to stage a car collision. The plot was uncovered by Czech intelligence, who revealed that the March 2024 incident was actually part of a wider covert operation run from the Chinese embassy in Prague. “I will not be intimidated. The CCP’s unlawful activities will NOT stop me from voicing Taiwan’s interests in the international community,” Hs Xiao posted on social media on Saturday.
“I will not be intimidated. The CCP’s unlawful activities will NOT stop me from voicing Taiwan’s interests in the international community,” Hsiao posted on social media on Saturday.
Intelligence officials confirm details of the Chinese operation
According to Czech media outlet Irozhlas, military intelligence officials have confirmed that Chinese diplomats and intelligence officers plotted a “demonstrative kinetic action” targeting Hsiao’s convoy, a term understood to mean staging a car crash.
Petr Bartovský, the head of the Czech military intelligence service, said that a driver stopped by police during Hsiao’s visit was found to be following her vehicle closely. While that incident did not escalate, Czech authorities later discovered plans to confront the vice president more aggressively.
Spokesperson Jan Pejšek confirmed the operation had reached an advanced planning stage but did not go beyond preparation. He said the actions of Chinese personnel in Prague “flagrantly breach the obligations arising from the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.”
Taiwan demands apology, China hits back
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council condemned the reported plot as a “serious threat” to Hsiao and her security detail. The council called on China to issue an explanation and a formal apology.
In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun denied any wrongdoing and said Chinese diplomats always “observe the laws and regulations of host countries.” Guo criticised the Czech Republic for allowing Hsiao to visit, calling her a “diehard Taiwan independence separatist.”
China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and routinely condemns any foreign interaction with the island’s elected leaders. Guo warned Prague not to “spread rumours” or damage bilateral relations by being “used by Taiwan independence forces.”
China’s growing pressure on Taiwan abroad
Did Chinese Efforts to Intimidate Taiwan in Czechia Include an Attempt on Hsiao Bi-Khim’s Life?
Czech military intelligence chief says China tried to intimidate Taiwanese vice president Hsiao Bi-khim during a visit to Prague in 2024. The operation was reportedly carried out by China’s military attache in coordination with the Military Section of the Chinese Embassy in Prague. The KMT was attempting to pass a bill in Taiwan that would have required a new set of elections to be held if the vice president-elect died. As such, the KMT has been accused of colluding with the Chinese government in seeking to assassinate Hs Xiao in order to hold a newSet of elections. The Chinese government may be willing to carry out violent actions against Taiwanese politicians in countries that have strong ties with Taiwan. It is to be seen if this trend continues. And it is not entirely impossible that the K MT collaborates in such actions, as some have feared of Lai.
語言:
English
P hoto Credit: Hsiao Bi-khim/Facebook
A RECENT INTERVIEW by the Director of the Czech Military Intelligence Agency, General Petr Bartovský, with Czech Public Radio stated that China sought to intimidate Taiwanese vice president Hsiao Bi-khim during a visit by Hsiao to Prague in March 2024.
It was previously known that Hsiao’s motorcade was followed by a vehicle driven by China’s military attache in Prague.
What was not previously known, however, is that according to Bartovsky, China’s military attache was planning for a Chinese vehicle to crash into Hsiao’s vehicle as a means of intimidation. Chinese diplomats were also waiting for Hsiao at the airport when she arrived. The operation was reportedly carried out by this military attache in coordination with the Military Section of the Chinese Embassy in Prague, which had a staff of three People’s Liberation Army officers. Such new revelations suggest that this was a coordinated operation, rather than that this individual was acting on his own.
Hsiao was visiting Prague due to being invited by Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil, visiting the European Union (EU) in the transition period before the DPP took office shortly after its election victory. This took place after a similar visit by Hsiao to the US.
Indeed, Hsiao’s trips were to shore up relations before the Lai administration took power. Indeed, Hsiao likely was aiming to reassure that the policies of the Lai administration will be largely the same as the Tsai administration, and there will be no sudden moves toward Taiwanese independence or of like nature–as some have feared of Lai and have continued to fear since he took office.
The Hsiao visits to the US and EU in 2024 were conducted with the claim that these were personal trips. While on other occasions, diplomatic representatives of Taiwan, such as Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu, have made highly public trips to the European Union in the pursuit of strengthening ties, Hsiao’s trips were done with little publicity and aimed to be low-profile. This evidently did not prevent what proved to be not only Chinese attempts at interference, but outright attempted violence against Taiwanese politicians traveling abroad.
At the time of the incident, the KMT was attempting to pass a bill in Taiwan that would have required a new set of elections to be held if the vice president-elect died. As such, the KMT has been accused of colluding with the Chinese government in seeking to assassinate Hsiao in order to hold a new set of elections.
Past years have seen warming ties between Taiwan and Czechia. In September 2020, an 89-member diplomatic delegation from the Czech Republic to Taiwan visited Taiwan. Among the delegation were Vystrcil and Prague mayor Zdenek Hrib.
Significantly, during the visit, Vystrcil declared that “I am Taiwanese” during a speech, echoing American President John F. Kennedy’s famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech during the Cold War. On the other hand, Hrib can probably be credited as the Czech politician who had done the most to advance Taiwan-Czech ties in prior years, breaking off a sister city agreement with Beijing to ink an agreement with Taipei instead in January 2020.
In February 2023, a phone call took place between then-President Tsai Ing-wen and Petr Pavel, the president-elect of the Czech Republic. This was touted as a diplomatic breakthrough by the DPP, signaling stronger ties between Taiwan and the central European country.
Still, as China’s actions go to show, the Chinese government may be willing to carry out violent actions against Taiwanese politicians in countries that have strong ties with Taiwan. Although Chinese “Wolf Warrior” diplomats have distinguished themselves in past years with strong rhetoric on Taiwan, it proves another matter entirely when Chinese government officials resort to planning violence against Taiwanese politicians. It is to be seen if this trend continues. And it is not entirely impossible if the KMT collaborates in such actions either.
Czech Intelligence Accuses China Of Tracking, Planning Intimidation Of Taiwan Vice-President-Elect
Czech military intelligence reported on Friday that Chinese diplomats and secret service agents tracked Taiwan’s Vice-President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim during her visit to Prague last year. Authorities said there were also plans to physically intimidate her during the trip. Prague does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan but has fostered warm relations with the democratically-governed island, which China views as its own territory. Czech media reported last year that a Chinese diplomat had run a red light when following her car. The Czech Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the Chinese ambassador over the incident at the time but did not comment further on Friday.
Czech military intelligence reported on Friday that Chinese diplomats and secret service agents tracked Taiwan’s Vice-President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim during her visit to Prague last year. Authorities said there were also plans to physically intimidate her during the trip.
Hsiao visited the Czech Republic in March 2024. Prague does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan but has fostered warm relations with the democratically-governed island, which China views as its own territory.
Czech media reported last year that a Chinese diplomat had run a red light when following her car. Czech public radio news website irozhlas.cz said on Thursday that the Chinese had also planned to stage a demonstrative car crash.
Violation Of Diplomatic Rules
Czech Military Intelligence spokesman said Chinese diplomats in Prague had taken actions that violated diplomatic rules.
“This consisted of physically following the vice-president, gathering information on her schedule and attempts to document her meetings with important representatives of the Czech political and public scene,” spokesman Jan Pejsek said in an email.
“We even recorded an attempt by the Chinese civil secret service to create conditions to perform a demonstrative kinetic action against a protected person, which however did not go beyond the phase of preparation.”
A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, commenting on the matter, denied any wrongdoing by Chinese diplomats and also said the Czech Republic had interfered in China’s internal affairs by allowing Hsiao’s visit to go ahead.
The Czech Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the Chinese ambassador over the incident at the time but did not comment further on Friday.
Taiwan Protests
Taiwan’s China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said the Chinese actions “seriously threatened the personal safety of Vice President Hsiao and her entourage”.
“The Mainland Affairs Council today protested and strongly condemned the Chinese communist’s bad behaviour and demanded that the Chinese side should immediately explain and publicly apologise,” it said.
In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said: “Chinese diplomats have always abided by the laws and regulations of the countries in which they are stationed.”
“China urges the parties concerned not to be provoked and exploited by separatist forces for Taiwan independence, and to not make a fuss over nothing, engage in malicious speculation, and interfere with and undermine the relations between the two countries.”
Hsiao assumed office, along with President Lai Ching-te, on May 20 last year.
Czech relations with China have cooled in recent years. The Czechs accused China in May of being behind a cyberattack on the foreign ministry.
Czech politicians have visited Taiwan and former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visited Prague last October.
(With inputs from Reuters)