Fact Check: "Chinese officials' actions violated diplomatic obligations, endangering Hsiao's safety."
What We Know
Recent reports indicate that during Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's visit to Prague in March 2024, Chinese officials allegedly plotted to stage a car collision aimed at intimidating her. According to Czech military intelligence, this plan was part of a broader strategy by Chinese diplomats and intelligence officers operating from their embassy in Prague. The intelligence service noted that the plan involved "demonstratively confronting" Hsiao and included preparations for a "demonstrative kinetic action" against her, which was ultimately not executed but was deemed to endanger her safety (The Guardian, Newsweek).
Czech officials confirmed that a Chinese diplomat had run a red light while following Hsiao's car, which was under police escort, further illustrating the potential risk posed by these actions (The Guardian). The Czech military intelligence chief condemned the plot as "unprecedented" and highlighted that these actions violated the obligations set forth in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (Newsweek, Taipei Times).
Analysis
The claim that Chinese officials violated diplomatic obligations and endangered Hsiao's safety is supported by credible sources, including statements from Czech military intelligence and local media reports. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations establishes the framework for diplomatic conduct, which includes the protection of diplomats and their safety. The reported actions of the Chinese diplomats—planning a staged car collision and surveilling Hsiao's movements—are serious breaches of these obligations (Taipei Times, Newsweek).
The reliability of the sources is bolstered by the involvement of official Czech intelligence, which provides a level of authority to the claims made. The intelligence agency's director, Petr Bartovský, and spokesperson, Jan Pejšek, provided detailed accounts of the planned actions, which were corroborated by multiple news outlets (The Guardian, Newsweek). Additionally, the condemnation from Taiwan's China-focused mainland affairs council further substantiates the seriousness of the situation, indicating that the actions were not only a violation of diplomatic norms but also a direct threat to Hsiao's safety (The Guardian, Taipei Times).
However, it is important to note that the Chinese government has denied these allegations, asserting that their diplomats adhere to the laws and regulations of host countries and accusing the Czech government of interference in China's internal affairs (The Guardian). This response, while part of the diplomatic narrative, does not negate the evidence presented by Czech authorities.
Conclusion
The evidence strongly supports the claim that Chinese officials' actions during Hsiao Bi-khim's visit to Prague violated diplomatic obligations and endangered her safety. The involvement of Czech military intelligence and the specific details of the alleged plot highlight a serious breach of conduct expected from diplomatic representatives. Therefore, the verdict is True.
