Czech Senate Speaker Declares "I Am Taiwanese" in Support of Freedom... China Immediately Reacts

Milos Vystrcil, President of the Czech Senate, is giving a speech at the Taiwanese Legislative Yuan on the 1st, wearing a mask printed with the Czech and Taiwanese flags.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 1st, Milos Vystrcil, the President of the Senate, who visited the Legislative Yuan of Taiwan, declared "I am a Taiwanese," expressing his support for Taiwan's democracy. China immediately reacted, saying it was "interference in China's internal affairs."

According to major foreign media, Vystrcil borrowed from the speech of then U.S. President John F. Kennedy in West Berlin in 1963 during the Cold War to make this statement. President Kennedy declared "Ich bin ein Berliner" to the citizens of West Berlin, conveying the meaning of freedom in the face of the Soviet Union.

Vystrcil said, "I want to express my support for Taiwan and the ultimate value of freedom," receiving a standing ovation.

He wore a mask during the speech, which was adorned with the flags of the Czech Republic and Taiwan.

Wang Yi, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister, warned the day before during his European tour that Vystrcil's visit to Taiwan would "definitely come at a heavy price," and the Chinese Foreign Ministry summoned the Czech ambassador. The Czech Republic also summoned the Chinese ambassador in response to Wang's remarks.

Hua Chunying, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a regular briefing that the Czech Senate President openly supported separatist forces and interfered in China's internal affairs, adding, "China will definitely take necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.