On November 11, 2024, a delegation led by Marek Benda, Chairman of the Taiwan-Friendly Group of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, composed of heavyweight cross-party lawmakers, arrived in Taiwan for a four-day visit. Their itinerary includes meetings with President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Lai Ching-te, Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China warmly welcomed the visiting delegation.
The delegation from the Czech Chamber of Deputies’ Taiwan-Friendly Group, led by Marek Benda, includes prominent members such as Eva Decroix, Vice Chairman of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and Co-Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), Jakub Michalek, General Convener of the Pirate Party group, and Jan Jakob, General Convener of the TOP09 party group.
During their stay in Taiwan, the delegation is scheduled to meet with high-ranking government officials, including President Lai Ching-te, Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, to discuss Taiwan-Czech relations and bilateral cooperation initiatives. Additionally, they will also visit think tanks to engage in discussions with experts and scholars on topics such as cybersecurity, combating disinformation, and countering foreign interference.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China highlighted Marek Benda’s long-standing friendship and support for Taiwan since the 1990s. As Chairman of the Taiwan-Friendly Group, Benda has visited Taiwan multiple times and played a crucial role in promoting Taiwan-Czech cooperation, enhancing bilateral exchanges, and countering efforts by the Chinese Communist Party to suppress Taiwan’s international space.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that Marek Benda has been instrumental in facilitating the passage of legislation supporting Taiwan, such as the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA) with the Czech Republic and amendments related to hosting exhibitions of artifacts from the National Palace Museum in Taiwan. Benda has also mobilized bipartisan support in the Czech Chamber of Deputies for Taiwan’s participation in UN-affiliated organizations, and led efforts to pass resolutions endorsing Taiwan’s involvement in the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and Interpol.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China, the Czech Republic is a staunch partner in Central and Eastern Europe that shares universal values such as democracy, freedom, rule of law, and human rights with Taiwan. The two countries have collaborated on various projects and provided assistance to democratic partners like Ukraine to counter authoritarian expansion. The Ministry aims to further deepen cooperation and exchanges with the Czech Republic based on shared values and mutual benefits to strengthen the close relationship between the two nations.