Taiwan/Flag of the Republic of China. On January 11, 2023, at a military base in Kaohsiung, Taiwan's armed forces conducted a two-day routine exercise. (Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
[People News] Recently, the attempted assassination of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim on March 18, 2024, has been confirmed by the Czech Military Intelligence Agency. Czech Radio released an investigative report on the incident, drawing public attention. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) issued a strong condemnation, demanding that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) explain the incident and issue a public apology.
The incident took place during Vice President Hsiao's three-day visit to the Czech Republic before she officially took office. Her agenda included a meeting with the Czech Senate leadership, including Senate President Miloš Vystrčil. On the day of the meeting, her motorcade was tailed by Chinese diplomatic personnel, nearly causing a traffic accident. According to Czech media Seznam Zprávy, while passing through a city centre intersection, a Chinese diplomat ran a red light, nearly triggering a collision.
Recent reports suggest the action was not accidental, but part of a Chinese intelligence operation. The Czech Military Intelligence Agency confirmed it had monitored Chinese (CCP) intelligence units attempting hostile acts against a protected person. Czech Radio, in its June 26 report, stated that the operation even included plans to intentionally collide with Hsiao’s car, physically approach her, and intimidate her.
According to Military Intelligence Director Petr Bartovský, Beijing aimed to use the action as psychological intimidation against Hsiao. Bartovský stated: “We monitored that Chinese intelligence units tried to create conditions for a demonstrative move against a protected person. Fortunately, the plan never went beyond the preparation phase.” Jan Pejsek, spokesperson for the Czech Military Intelligence, noted that the actions of Chinese diplomats in Prague violated diplomatic norms. In an email to Reuters, Pejsek stated that their actions included tracking the Vice President, collecting her schedule information, and attempting to document her meetings with key Czech political and public figures. These incidents have been recorded by the Czech side, and the Czech Foreign Ministry confirmed it had summoned the Chinese ambassador over the matter.
On June 26, Taiwan Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui stated: “We strongly condemn China (the CCP) for such unlawful actions that violate international norms and pose dangers to the international community.” The MAC released a statement on June 27, expressing stern protest and strong condemnation of the CCP’s malicious behaviour. It demanded that the CCP immediately clarify the incident, apologise publicly, and cease all harassment and intimidation of ROC officials and citizens.
The MAC pointed out that the CCP’s violent threat against the democratically elected Vice President of the Republic of China—even before the inauguration—fully reveals the violent nature of the regime and shows a lack of good faith in engaging with Taiwan. Beijing should immediately explain and apologise to both Taiwan and the international community for this uncivilised and dangerous conduct, and promise to stop any such behaviour in the future.
The MAC also called on the international community to jointly condemn the CCP's authoritarian expansionism, denounce its terrorist threats in foreign countries, and demand that it respect international norms and stop being a global troublemaker.
Yet, the CCP responded with outright denial and counter-accusations, using its typical propaganda tactics—repeating lies until they seem like truth.
On June 27, when a Reuters reporter asked about the Czech media reports during the CCP’s regular press conference, spokesperson Guo Jiakun scowled and angrily responded: “The Czech side has seriously violated political commitments, grossly interfered in China's internal affairs... Chinese diplomats always follow the laws of host countries... We urge relevant parties not to be manipulated by 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces, not to stir up trouble or hype maliciously, and not to undermine bilateral relations.”
On June 28 local time, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim stated that her visit to Prague had been very pleasant, and she expressed gratitude to the Czech authorities for their warm reception and efforts in ensuring her security. She emphasised that the CCP's illegal actions will not intimidate her, nor stop her from advocating for Taiwan’s interests in the international community. She added that Taiwan will not be isolated by threats and thanked members of parliaments around the world for standing united in opposition to violence and coercion.
The Story Didn't End There. Following the exposure of the attempted assassination, the CCP reportedly became furious and issued bomb threats, demanding that Taiwanese media take down the coverage. Taiwan’s MAC received a threatening email from the CCP, claiming a bomb was planted in the North Building of the Central United Office Tower, where the MAC is located. The email stated that if reports about Hsiao’s dangerous surveillance by the CCP in Prague were not removed within a specified time, the bomb would be detonated. The MAC reported the threat immediately, coordinated with relevant authorities, and conducted a full security sweep of the premises. No bombs or suspicious objects were found. Police are now investigating. The MAC issued a strong condemnation of the illegal intimidation, stating that such threats undermine public safety and constitute criminal behaviour.
According to Central News Agency follow-up reports, this is the third time this year that the MAC has received such threats. In March, a letter demanded that the MAC issue a statement against Falun Gong and the Shen Yun Performing Arts. On June 4, another threat warned against hosting memorial events for the Tiananmen Square massacre. All three threats included the same bomb threat tactic: claiming explosives had been placed in the office building and would be detonated if demands were not met. These tactics mirror CCP threats against theatres around the world to block Shen Yun performances.
(First published by People News)
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