The Legislative Yuan

Press Release

March 28, 2023

You Si-kun: Democracy should not only be valued but also promoted. Taiwan will stand firmly with the Czech Republic.

Accompanied by Legislative Vice President Tsai Chi-chang, Republic of Chia-Czech Republic Parliamentary Amity Association Chair Legislator Wan Mei-ling, representatives of four party causes, Secretary General Lin Jih-jia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu,  Representative to the Czech Republic Ke Liang-ruey, Representative of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei David Steinke, President You Si-kun welcomed Speaker Adamová and her delegation at the main entrance of the Legislative Yuan in the morning of March 28, 2023.

In addition to Speaker Adamová and her husband Tomáš Pekara, A total of more tha 80 members of the visiting delegation also included Czech Chamber of Deputies Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Marek Ženíšek, Chairperson of the Committee on Security Pavel Žáček, Chairman of the Czech Republic-Taiwan Parliamentary Platform Marek Benda, members of the Chamber of Deputies Marek Výborný, Ondřej Lochman, and Ivan Jáč, Director Veronika Kuchyňová Šmigolová of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director Petr Očko of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Deputy Minister of Science, Research and Innovation and Innovation Jana Havlíková, National Cyber and Information Security Agency Director Lukáš Kintr, Director General of National Museum Michal Luke, Director Petr Pelc of the Office of  the Speaker, Director Ondřej Ditrych of the Institute of International Relations Prague, leaders of various communities and staffers.

First of all, President You stated that today marks the fifth Yuan sitting of the seventh session of the 10th Legislative Yuan. The Yuan sitting was privileged to invite a very important guest. President You and all participants applauded to warmly welcome the Czech Republic Parliamentary Chamber of Deputies Delegation led by Speaker Adamová to the Legislative Yuan.

Senate President Miloš Vystrčil led a delegation to Taiwan in 2020 as the ice breaker for relations between Taiwan and the Czech Republic. He was the first senate president from non-diplomatic ally to deliver a speech in the Legislative Yuan. His visit was like a spring swallow bringing good news to Taiwan, conveying the support of international community to democratic Taiwan. After his visit, our relations continue to deepen with positive trade growth for two consecutive years. Last year, the trade growth reached 20.25%. In addition, his visit encouraged major political figures from Europe’s democratic allies to further elevate Taiwan’s international visibility. This testifies to the important role of Czech Republic as a gateway for Taiwan to Europe. Today, Speaker Adamová’s visit has profound significance. As she just mentioned, strengthening bilateral cooperation is in the interests of the Czech Republic. More importantly, you decide to visit Taiwan in Spring to stand with the democratic alliance partner to convey the message of your support. You bring us with the spirit of Czech Republic of undaunting of big power and launching reforms with the Spring of Prague in 1968 and Velvet Revolution in 1989.

President You further stated that on this special occasion, on behalf of the Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China (Taiwan), he wanted to confer upon her with the First-Class Medal of Honor of Parliamentary Diplomacy in recognition of the Czech parliament for your tremendous contributions to support democratic Taiwan. Speaker Adamová will be the first woman parliamentary speaker to have this honor from non-diplomatic ally. Speaker You once again thanked the Czech Republic for its unswerving support to Taiwan, and the Czech parliament for its contributions to Taiwan.

President You conferred upon Speaker Adamová with the First-Class Medal of Honor of Parliamentary Diplomacy, the cordon and commemorative gifts with the witness of legislators and all distinguished guests in recognition of her contributions to promote parliamentary diplomacy. President You then introduced Speaker Adamová for her keynote spspeechHe stated that Speaker Adamová is a charismatic leader with abundant experiences and excellent capabilities. She once served a the Parague city councilor. In addition to the capacity of Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, she is also the chairman of TOP09 Party. She has local as well as central government and political party headquarters experiences. As the second woman speaker in the history of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, she is also the youngest woman speaker in the history of the Chamber of Deputies. Speaker Adamová is role model for women participation in public affairs and set a good example for promoting gender equality. I am honored to share with you that she is also the first woman speaker from non-diplomatic ally in the history of Taiwan to deliver a keynote speech in the Legislative Yuan chamber.

President You added that undaunted by strong power, Speaker Adamová insists in leading a delegation to visit Taiwan. Her leadership philosophy is actions are more important than word, and her belief in freedom and democracy. She takes concrete actions to express the Czech Republic support to Taiwan and the rock solid friendship between Czech Republic and Taiwan. She is indeed the youngest and most capable practitioner of democracy in the Czech Republic. Before she visited Taiwan, she stated that it was her privilege to take the lead as the first European to establish close relations with Taiwan. She encouraged other Western countries to follow the suit. Please allow be to express the utmost respect on behalf of the Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China to Speaker Adamová for her perseverance, courage and vision.

In her speech, Speaker Adamová stated that the Czech and Taiwan many similarities, such as shared universal values and enjoy freedom and democracy. She pointed out that we perhaps believe that we can enjoy freedom and are entitled to make our own decisions, but it is not the case. If we do not protect them, we may lose democracy and freedom. Taking Ukraine war as an example, she reminded that there is only 400 kilometers between the Czech Republic and Ukraine. With such close distance, the war is very near. She shared a story in the history of the Czech Republic. 1989 Velvet Revolution resulted to the democratization of the Czech Slovakia and made the Czech Republic a country highly regarded freedom, democracy and human rights. She continued to state that there is someone who is writing history, that is Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. When we met, we promised that we would be with him. No one can stand alone. Our stories are all intertwined. We understand the people of Ukraine also fight for us. We will continue to stand with democracy, freedom and human rights. Speaker Adamová believed that law-makers shoulder heavy responsibilities. We are empowered by the people with these responsibilities. We are committed to realize them with the Constitution and conscience. All of us are writing their part of the stories. The stories of the Czech Republic and Taiwan are the same. Therefore, developing democracy and freedom is our responsibility. She concluded by stressing to the distinguished guests present and the people of Taiwan that “We will be with you in good times and in bad times.”Her speech received warm applauses of the legislators and distinguished guests.

President You stated afterwards that Speaker Adamová pointed out freedom and democracy should not only valued but also promoted. He said that Speaker Adamová shared the same with him. As the authoritarian regimes continue to expand, and international democratic landscape had shrunk, it is especially important that we need to be clear. Democratic countries should be united to show the courage to firmly oppose any forms of authoritarian regimes, and the determination to safeguard our homeland. The torrents of authoritarian dictatorship will have no way to harm democratic and free countries. He once again thanked Speaker Adamová for leading a delegation to Taiwan. He said that  this was the symbol of mutual protection of democratic countries. It also testified to the deepening of democracy and relations between Taiwan and the Czech Republic. He also responded to Speaker Adamová's speech that “We will be with you, so please with us also.” On behalf of the Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Taiwan for sure will stand firmly with the Czech Republic.

After Speaker Adamová was conferred upon the Medal of Honor for Parliamentary Diplomacy and delivered her speech, President You hosted a luncheon in honor of her and the delegation.