Fact Check: Chinese Officials Ran a Red Light While Following Taiwan's Vice-President's Car
What We Know
In March 2024, Taiwan's Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim visited the Czech Republic, marking her first overseas trip following her election. Reports indicate that during this visit, a Chinese diplomat allegedly ran a red light while following her car, which was under police escort. This incident has been corroborated by Czech intelligence, which revealed that the Chinese officials' actions were part of a broader plan to intimidate Hsiao, including a staged car collision (Reuters, The Guardian).
Czech military intelligence confirmed that the driver who ran the red light was indeed following Hsiao's vehicle. They stated that this was part of a larger scheme orchestrated by Chinese diplomats and intelligence officers in Prague, aimed at creating a confrontational situation involving Hsiao (The Guardian, Newsweek).
Analysis
The claim that Chinese officials ran a red light while following Taiwan's Vice-President is supported by multiple credible sources. The incident was reported by Czech media at the time and has since been reaffirmed by Czech intelligence, which detailed a planned intimidation strategy against Hsiao. The intelligence service's director, Petr Bartovský, indicated that the actions of the Chinese officials were not only reckless but also constituted a violation of diplomatic norms, as outlined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (The Guardian, Newsweek).
The reliability of the sources reporting this incident is high. Major news outlets such as Reuters and The Guardian have covered the story, providing detailed accounts from Czech authorities. Additionally, the Czech military intelligence's involvement lends further credibility to the claims, as they are a recognized governmental body with access to relevant information.
However, it is important to note that the Chinese government has denied these allegations, asserting that their diplomats adhere to the laws of host countries (The Guardian). This denial reflects the ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan, particularly regarding Taiwan's international recognition and the legitimacy of its government.
Conclusion
The claim that Chinese officials ran a red light while following Taiwan's Vice-President's car is True. The evidence from credible news sources and official statements from Czech intelligence supports this assertion. The incident is part of a larger narrative concerning China's aggressive tactics towards Taiwan and its officials, which have been documented and condemned by various international observers.
