Taiwan is one of the Czech Republic’s most important partners in Asia. That’s the word from new Czech representative to Taiwan David Steinke.
Steinke took up his new post in September. He says his main objective is to enhance bilateral ties on all fronts. That includes opening a direct airline route between the two countries and bringing artifacts from the National Palace Museum to the Czech Republic.
Steinke says he’s already in talks with China Airlines, Taiwan’s national carrier, to open a route to Prague. And museum officials say artifacts under their care could be displayed in the Czech Republic by 2024.
Steinke also hopes to work with Taiwan on semiconductors. He says Taiwan’s government is launching a scholarship program to bring Czech students to the country to study in fields related to semiconductors.
Relations between the two countries have warmed since Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil addressed Taiwan’s legislature in 2020. Steinke says ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait convinced his country to find new ways to support Taiwan’s democratic institutions.