Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han receives Senate President Miloš Vystrčil of the Czech Republic and his delegation; President Han: Taiwan and the Czech Republic stand together in safeguarding democracy, and bilateral friendship continues to grow stronger
At noon on June 1, Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han (韓國瑜) welcomed Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil and his delegation to the Legislative Yuan. President Han was joined by Legislative Yuan Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang (江啟臣), KMT Legislator Wan Mei-Ling, Convener of the Taiwan-Czech Republic Parliamentary Amity Association, DPP Legislator Dr. Fan Yun and TPP Legislator Dr. Chen Ching-Lung. Also in attendance were Secretary General Chou Wan-Lai of the Legislative Yuan and Amb. François Chih-Chung Wu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of MOFA.
President Han and the accompanying legislators personally welcomed President Vystrčil at the entrance to the Legislative Yuan. Legislator Wan, Convener of the Taiwan-Czech Republic Parliamentary Amity Association, presented a bouquet of flowers to President Vystrčil before escorting the delegation into the Legislative Yuan, where the guests signed the Legislative Yuan's guest book. In his remarks, President Han first warmly welcomed President Vystrčil on behalf of the Legislative Yuan for his return visit to Taiwan after six years. President Han then expressed his sincere appreciation for the Czech Republic's longstanding support for Taiwan and its consistent advocacy for Taiwan's international participation. President Han emphasized that although the Czech Republic is modest in both population and land area, it has achieved remarkable accomplishments in both domestic and foreign affairs over the past decades. He added that particularly under the leadership of former President Václav Havel, the Velvet Revolution successfully transformed the country's political system into a democracy, setting an inspiring example for countries around the world. President Han expressed his hope that, guided by the shared values and convictions of both sides, the two parliaments would continue to deepen exchanges and further strengthen the enduring friendship between Taiwan and the Czech Republic.
President Vystrčil noted that this was his second visit to Taiwan. He recalled making his first visit six years ago at the invitation of former Legislative Yuan President You Si-Kun, and said that his return at President Han's invitation clearly demonstrates that the friendship between Taiwan and the Czech Republic remains steadfast regardless of changes in political leadership. President Vystrčil gave a special introduction to Ms. Vendula Vinšová, daughter of the late former Senate President Jaroslav Kubera, as a member of the delegation. President Vystrčil also noted that former Senate President Kubera was among the first Czech political leaders to propose a visit to Taiwan, and that Ms. Vinšová's participation in the delegation carries forward his legacy. Additionally, President Vystrčil showed President Han and all the participants a backpack embroidered with a Taiwan-Czech friendship motif and presented President Han with a model of the "Czech Lion," the symbol of the Czech Senate. He explained that the Czech Lion symbolizes nobility and resilience, standing strong despite adversity, and expressed his hope that Taiwan and the Czech Republic would likewise continue to move forward together with unwavering determination regardless of changes in the international landscape.
Following the remarks and a group photograph, President Han and the delegation proceeded to the reception room for bilateral talks. In his remarks, Vice President Chiang said that over the past two years he had led cross-party delegations of legislators to the Czech Republic on behalf of President Han and the Legislative Yuan, where they received warm hospitality from President Vystrčil and the Czech Parliament. He said it was a great honor to welcome President Vystrčil to the Legislative Yuan together with President Han and expressed his hope that the delegation's visit would be as fruitful as the one six years ago, and that they would make many new friends during their stay.
Legislator Wan, Convener of the Taiwan-Czech Republic Parliamentary Amity Association, recalled her visits to the Czech Republic and noted that Taiwan and the Czech Republic have achieved fruitful cooperation across a wide range of fields. She added that the launch of direct flights between the two countries has further facilitated exchanges in tourism, business, and education. Legislator Fan warmly welcomed President Vystrčil and his delegation to Taiwan and said she remained deeply impressed by his parliamentary address, "I am Taiwanese," delivered at the Legislative Yuan six years ago. She also thanked the Czech Republic for proposing resolutions in support of Taiwan's international participation for six consecutive years and commended the country for consistently standing with the democratic community. Representing the Taiwan People's Party, TPP Legislator Tsai Chun-Chou also extended a warm welcome to the delegation and introduced the Mazu religious traditions of her hometown of Beigang in Yunlin County, expressing hope that Taiwan and the Czech Republic would further expand cultural exchanges.
President Vystrčil thanked the legislators from across party lines for their warm reception. He remarked that politicians should rise above personal and partisan interests and remain committed to doing what is best for their countries. He further commended Taiwan for playing a vital role in the Taiwan-Czech Resilience Initiative, higher education cooperation, direct air services between Taiwan and the Czech Republic, medical cooperation projects, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. President Vystrčil also invited President Han to lead a cross-party delegation of legislators to visit the Czech Republic to further deepen parliamentary exchanges between the two countries.
Following the bilateral talks, President Han presented President Vystrčil with a handcrafted porcelain vase featuring the representative flowers of Taiwan and the Czech Republic together with motifs inspired by the Czech national flag, symbolizing the democratic partnership and enduring friendship between the two countries. After exchanging commemorative gifts, both sides proceeded to a luncheon. During the luncheon, President Han, Vice President Chiang, the attending legislators, as well as President Vystrčil and his delegation held extensive and in-depth discussions on parliamentary exchanges, student exchange programs, economic and trade cooperation, and sports and cultural exchanges between Taiwan and the Czech Republic. The luncheon lasted approximately 90 minutes and concluded in a warm and cordial atmosphere.
Following the luncheon, President Han and President Vystrčil took questions from the media. In response to reporters' questions, President Han noted that additional flights on the Taiwan-Czech direct route will be introduced beginning on August 1, further promoting economic, educational, cultural, and tourism exchanges between the two countries. He also remarked that Taiwan continues to face a challenging international environment and expressed his sincere appreciation for the Czech Republic's longstanding support for Taiwan in the international arena. President Han emphasized that, as Taiwan's highest representative body, the Legislative Yuan will continue, within the constitutional framework and with an open-minded approach, to expand and deepen Taiwan's relations with countries around the world through parliamentary diplomacy. He added that the Legislative Yuan will continue to support bilateral cooperation between Taiwan and the Czech Republic and expressed his hope that Taiwan-Czech relations will serve as a model for Taiwan's engagement with other countries with which it does not maintain formal diplomatic relations.
In response to media questions, President Vystrčil emphasized that this visit to Taiwan had received the support of nearly 80 percent of the members of the Czech Senate. He noted that Taiwan and the Czech Republic are both democratic countries whose relationship is built on reciprocity, and that the two sides are indispensable friends in the international community who should continue to deepen exchanges. President Vystrčil added that cooperation between the Czech Senate and the Legislative Yuan is both natural and appropriate, and he once again warmly welcomed President Han to lead a delegation to visit the Czech Republic in the future. (2026/06/01)
President Han and the accompanying legislators personally welcomed President Vystrčil at the entrance to the Legislative Yuan. Legislator Wan, Convener of the Taiwan-Czech Republic Parliamentary Amity Association, presented a bouquet of flowers to President Vystrčil before escorting the delegation into the Legislative Yuan, where the guests signed the Legislative Yuan's guest book. In his remarks, President Han first warmly welcomed President Vystrčil on behalf of the Legislative Yuan for his return visit to Taiwan after six years. President Han then expressed his sincere appreciation for the Czech Republic's longstanding support for Taiwan and its consistent advocacy for Taiwan's international participation. President Han emphasized that although the Czech Republic is modest in both population and land area, it has achieved remarkable accomplishments in both domestic and foreign affairs over the past decades. He added that particularly under the leadership of former President Václav Havel, the Velvet Revolution successfully transformed the country's political system into a democracy, setting an inspiring example for countries around the world. President Han expressed his hope that, guided by the shared values and convictions of both sides, the two parliaments would continue to deepen exchanges and further strengthen the enduring friendship between Taiwan and the Czech Republic.
President Vystrčil noted that this was his second visit to Taiwan. He recalled making his first visit six years ago at the invitation of former Legislative Yuan President You Si-Kun, and said that his return at President Han's invitation clearly demonstrates that the friendship between Taiwan and the Czech Republic remains steadfast regardless of changes in political leadership. President Vystrčil gave a special introduction to Ms. Vendula Vinšová, daughter of the late former Senate President Jaroslav Kubera, as a member of the delegation. President Vystrčil also noted that former Senate President Kubera was among the first Czech political leaders to propose a visit to Taiwan, and that Ms. Vinšová's participation in the delegation carries forward his legacy. Additionally, President Vystrčil showed President Han and all the participants a backpack embroidered with a Taiwan-Czech friendship motif and presented President Han with a model of the "Czech Lion," the symbol of the Czech Senate. He explained that the Czech Lion symbolizes nobility and resilience, standing strong despite adversity, and expressed his hope that Taiwan and the Czech Republic would likewise continue to move forward together with unwavering determination regardless of changes in the international landscape.
Following the remarks and a group photograph, President Han and the delegation proceeded to the reception room for bilateral talks. In his remarks, Vice President Chiang said that over the past two years he had led cross-party delegations of legislators to the Czech Republic on behalf of President Han and the Legislative Yuan, where they received warm hospitality from President Vystrčil and the Czech Parliament. He said it was a great honor to welcome President Vystrčil to the Legislative Yuan together with President Han and expressed his hope that the delegation's visit would be as fruitful as the one six years ago, and that they would make many new friends during their stay.
Legislator Wan, Convener of the Taiwan-Czech Republic Parliamentary Amity Association, recalled her visits to the Czech Republic and noted that Taiwan and the Czech Republic have achieved fruitful cooperation across a wide range of fields. She added that the launch of direct flights between the two countries has further facilitated exchanges in tourism, business, and education. Legislator Fan warmly welcomed President Vystrčil and his delegation to Taiwan and said she remained deeply impressed by his parliamentary address, "I am Taiwanese," delivered at the Legislative Yuan six years ago. She also thanked the Czech Republic for proposing resolutions in support of Taiwan's international participation for six consecutive years and commended the country for consistently standing with the democratic community. Representing the Taiwan People's Party, TPP Legislator Tsai Chun-Chou also extended a warm welcome to the delegation and introduced the Mazu religious traditions of her hometown of Beigang in Yunlin County, expressing hope that Taiwan and the Czech Republic would further expand cultural exchanges.
President Vystrčil thanked the legislators from across party lines for their warm reception. He remarked that politicians should rise above personal and partisan interests and remain committed to doing what is best for their countries. He further commended Taiwan for playing a vital role in the Taiwan-Czech Resilience Initiative, higher education cooperation, direct air services between Taiwan and the Czech Republic, medical cooperation projects, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. President Vystrčil also invited President Han to lead a cross-party delegation of legislators to visit the Czech Republic to further deepen parliamentary exchanges between the two countries.
Following the bilateral talks, President Han presented President Vystrčil with a handcrafted porcelain vase featuring the representative flowers of Taiwan and the Czech Republic together with motifs inspired by the Czech national flag, symbolizing the democratic partnership and enduring friendship between the two countries. After exchanging commemorative gifts, both sides proceeded to a luncheon. During the luncheon, President Han, Vice President Chiang, the attending legislators, as well as President Vystrčil and his delegation held extensive and in-depth discussions on parliamentary exchanges, student exchange programs, economic and trade cooperation, and sports and cultural exchanges between Taiwan and the Czech Republic. The luncheon lasted approximately 90 minutes and concluded in a warm and cordial atmosphere.
Following the luncheon, President Han and President Vystrčil took questions from the media. In response to reporters' questions, President Han noted that additional flights on the Taiwan-Czech direct route will be introduced beginning on August 1, further promoting economic, educational, cultural, and tourism exchanges between the two countries. He also remarked that Taiwan continues to face a challenging international environment and expressed his sincere appreciation for the Czech Republic's longstanding support for Taiwan in the international arena. President Han emphasized that, as Taiwan's highest representative body, the Legislative Yuan will continue, within the constitutional framework and with an open-minded approach, to expand and deepen Taiwan's relations with countries around the world through parliamentary diplomacy. He added that the Legislative Yuan will continue to support bilateral cooperation between Taiwan and the Czech Republic and expressed his hope that Taiwan-Czech relations will serve as a model for Taiwan's engagement with other countries with which it does not maintain formal diplomatic relations.
In response to media questions, President Vystrčil emphasized that this visit to Taiwan had received the support of nearly 80 percent of the members of the Czech Senate. He noted that Taiwan and the Czech Republic are both democratic countries whose relationship is built on reciprocity, and that the two sides are indispensable friends in the international community who should continue to deepen exchanges. President Vystrčil added that cooperation between the Czech Senate and the Legislative Yuan is both natural and appropriate, and he once again warmly welcomed President Han to lead a delegation to visit the Czech Republic in the future. (2026/06/01)