Slovak politician blames wrong side in tweet criticizing China

By Zhang Han and Shan Jie Source: Global Times Published: 2020/9/2 19:53:17

Photo: Twitter account of Slovak President Zuzana Caputova



China's determination to safeguard national sovereignty is unwavering, and its relations with the EU will not be swayed by some European politicians who voiced support for Taiwan island visit, something strongly opposed by China and widely seen as breaching the one-China principle, observers said.

Slovak President Zuzana Caputova on Wednesday criticized China's opposition to Czech Senate Speaker Milos Vystrcil's high-profile visit to the island of Taiwan. 

The Czech politician, disregarding the opposition of China and the Czech government, paid a visit to the island of Taiwan starting Sunday to support Taiwan secessionists, and even instigated other foreign countries to follow suit, which is blatant provocation, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a Tuesday press conference during his visit to Europe.

After Wang reiterated China's stance on the Taiwan question, Caputova tweeted that Slovakia stands by the Czech Republic, calling China's firm response to Vystrcil's visit "unacceptable." She called on "dialogue and mutual respect" between China and the EU, but failed to mention who first provoked the situation.

Analysts stressed that since respect is mutual, it is important to remember who first provoked and who responded, and China will not hesitate to safeguard its sovereignty and core interests.

They also noted that some politicians' words and actions are meant to amplify their personal influence, and will not affect the basis and "big picture" of China-EU ties. 

Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations of the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that Vystrcil's high-profile visit to the island of Taiwan, given the split in Czech politics, is  motivated for political capital. 

The visit to the island of Taiwan, which comes at a time of severe China-US tensions, will inevitably win him supporters from anti-China forces in Europe. The complexity of European politics may even encourage more politicians to follow suit, Li said. 

In early August, US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar visited Taiwan and signed deals with the Taiwan regional authorities. 

Analysts warned that European countries should be diplomatically autonomous and make choices in their own interest, rather than dance to the US tune. 

Noise from a handful of politicians will not shake the basis of China-EU relation, Li said, noting that responsible leaders will have a pragmatic attitude on China and respect the one-China principle, a prerequisite and political basis for the maintenance and development of friendship and cooperation between China and other countries.  


Newspaper headline: Slovak politician blames wrong side in anti-China tweet


Posted in: DIPLOMACY,HK/MACAO/TAIWAN,CHINA FOCUS

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