Czech intelligence foils China's plot to crash Taiwan VP's car during Prague visit
Photo: Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (facebook.com/Bikhim)
Chinese diplomats and Beijing’s secret service monitored Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim during her trip to Prague last year. They planned to cause a car accident involving the official, according to AFP and The Guardian.
Hsiao Bi-khim visited Prague in March 2024 after winning the election in January. This was her first overseas trip with Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te.
Jan Pejšek, spokesperson for Czech military intelligence, told the media that Hsiao was targeted by "individuals holding diplomatic posts at the Chinese embassy in Prague."
According to him, these individuals monitored the newly elected Taiwanese Vice President, collecting information about her visit and meetings with Czech officials.
Czech media reported that a diplomat from the Chinese embassy in Prague violated traffic rules and ran a red light while following Hsiao's car. The media also reported that the Chinese even planned to stage a deliberate car crash involving her vehicle.
The Czech intelligence spokesperson said the secret service recorded China's secret service preparing a demonstrative, forceful action against the protected person. However, law enforcement responded in time and prevented the incident.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied the accusations. It accused the Czech Republic of interfering in China's internal affairs due to Hsiao Bi-khim's visit.
China-Taiwan conflict
China considers Taiwan its territory and calls the island’s government separatist. Taiwan, for its part, considers itself a separate state.
Chinese military periodically conducts exercises in the Taiwan Strait. These actions often simulate the surrounding Taiwan and more.
China has repeatedly threatened that it will not rule out the use of force against Taiwan.
