Fact Check: "China plotted a staged car collision against Taiwan's vice-president in Prague."
What We Know
Recent reports from Czech intelligence indicate that Chinese diplomats allegedly planned a staged car collision targeting Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim during her visit to Prague in March 2024. This visit marked her first overseas trip following the election of her and President Lai Ching-te. According to Czech military intelligence, the plan involved creating conditions for a "demonstrative kinetic action" against Hsiao, although it did not progress beyond the planning stage (Newsweek, The Guardian).
During the visit, a Chinese diplomat reportedly ran a red light while following Hsiao's vehicle, which was under police escort. Czech intelligence officials later confirmed that this incident was part of a broader intimidation strategy orchestrated by Chinese officials from their embassy (Reuters, The Guardian).
Hsiao Bi-khim publicly expressed her gratitude to Czech authorities for ensuring her safety and stated that she would not be intimidated by the actions of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) (The Guardian). The Czech military intelligence service has condemned the actions of the Chinese diplomats, stating they violated diplomatic norms and posed a threat to Hsiao's safety (Newsweek).
Analysis
The claim that China plotted a staged car collision against Taiwan's vice-president is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The reports from Czech military intelligence, as reported by both Newsweek and The Guardian, provide detailed accounts of the alleged plot, including statements from Czech officials confirming the intent to intimidate Hsiao.
Petr BartovskΓ½, the director of the Czech military intelligence service, characterized the incident as "unprecedented" in Europe, indicating a significant level of concern regarding China's actions (Newsweek). The involvement of Chinese diplomats in planning such an incident raises questions about the extent of their operations and adherence to international diplomatic protocols, as highlighted by Jan PejΕ‘ek, a spokesperson for the Czech military intelligence service (The Guardian).
The reliability of the sources reporting this incident is high, as they include statements from official intelligence agencies and reputable news organizations. The Czech military intelligence's condemnation of the actions and the acknowledgment of the incident by Taiwan's government further bolster the credibility of the claims.
However, it is important to note that while the planning stage of the incident was confirmed, the actual execution did not occur, which could lead to differing interpretations of the threat level posed to Hsiao during her visit. Nonetheless, the intent behind the planning is what raises significant concerns regarding China's diplomatic conduct.
Conclusion
The claim that China plotted a staged car collision against Taiwan's vice-president in Prague is True. The evidence presented by Czech intelligence and corroborated by multiple reputable news sources confirms that there was a plan to intimidate Hsiao Bi-khim during her visit, although it did not reach execution. The actions of the Chinese diplomats are seen as a serious breach of diplomatic norms, highlighting ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan.
