The president of the Czech Senate, Miloš Vystrčil, is set to visit Taiwan at the head of a 90-member delegation later this month. The group will arrive on a chartered flight on August 30, and stay until September 5.
Authorities in Taiwan are already preparing to receive the delegation at a time when the global COVID-19 pandemic is still raging out of control. Deputy Foreign Minister Harry Tseng said Monday that the government is coming up with the most efficient and effective disease prevention measures.
Also on Monday, Taiwan’s legislature formed the ROC-Czech Parliamentary Amity Association to promote bilateral exchanges. Founding members include 28 lawmakers from across the political spectrum.
The ROC -- or Republic of China -- is the official name of Taiwan’s government.
The head of the parliamentary association, Wan Mei-ling of the opposition KMT, says relations with the Czech Republic have grown closer. Taipei and Prague have held trade talks since 2016. Also, an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation is set to take effect next January.
Wan says she hopes that the two sides will be able to discuss their shared values of freedom, democracy and human rights. She says she’s also looking forward to cooperation in the areas of artificial intelligence, aviation and waste management.