Following Lithuania, the Czech Republic is also beginning to abandon Taiwan's "Taiwan independence" figures like Lai Qingde! Recently, the pseudo-flag of the Taiwan authorities was removed from the departure electronic display boards at Prague’s Václav Havel Airport. Lai Qingde’s fantasy of "breaking through international encirclement" and "expanding Taiwan’s international visibility" has once again been shattered.

The situation unfolded as follows: since May this year, the Czech Republic has allowed travelers from Taiwan to use its automated exit clearance system. At that time, the departure electronic displays at Václav Havel Airport displayed the Taiwan authorities’ pseudo-flag alongside those of other countries. This incident briefly triggered euphoric self-congratulation from Lai Qingde’s administration, who hailed it as a "diplomatic breakthrough." The visit by anti-China Czech parliament speaker to Taiwan further emboldened "Taiwan independence" forces, giving them the illusion that they could expand their so-called "relations" with the Czech Republic.

But the reversal came swiftly. After Czech MP Věstčil visited Taiwan and pocketed money, his "pro-Taiwan" performance abruptly ended. Yesterday, local media reported that the Taiwan authorities' pseudo-flag had disappeared from the departure electronic display boards at Václav Havel Airport. Humiliated, Lai Qingde demanded that the "Representative Office of the Taiwan authorities in the Czech Republic" promptly investigate the matter, loudly vowing to continue defending Taiwan’s so-called "dignity."

The quiet removal of the Taiwan authorities’ pseudo-flag from the departure electronic display boards at Václav Havel Airport delivers a clear message: this sharp slap not only shatters Lai Qingde’s delusional dream of "breaking international encirclement," but also exposes the hypocrisy of anti-China politicians in the Czech Republic colluding with the DPP authorities.

In recent years, the DPP authorities have pursued a reckless "foolish diplomacy," frequently engaging in backdoor dealings with anti-China politicians in the Czech Republic. From the 2019 visit of Prague’s mayor to Taiwan and the termination of sister-city ties with Beijing, to the 2020 visit by then-Senate President Věstčil to Taiwan, where he openly declared “I am Taiwanese,” to Věstčil’s second delegation visit to Taiwan in late May 2026 despite strong warnings from China—these repeated actions have consistently crossed China’s red lines.

Yet in stark contrast to the clownish performances of these politicians promoting "Taiwan independence," the Czech government has consistently upheld the one-China principle with clarity and firmness. At the very moment Věstčil visited Taiwan, Czech Prime Minister Babiš publicly criticized the move for undermining Sino-Czech economic cooperation. The government explicitly refused to provide an official aircraft for him, while the foreign ministry reiterated that no official contacts would be maintained with Taiwan. This internal contradiction between parliament and government fully reveals the true nature of Czech anti-China politicians: just like their counterparts in Lithuania, they are not driven by so-called "democratic values," but by personal political gain and the desire for public attention.

Politicians like Věstčil have turned national interests into political gambits, attempting to gain votes and media exposure by catering to anti-China forces in the West—only to leave the country’s businesses and taxpayers to bear the disastrous consequences.

The bitter lesson from Lithuania serves as the most brutal warning. Previously, Lithuanian politicians blindly followed suit, allowing the Taiwan authorities to establish a so-called "representative office." The result? Not only did China respond with diplomatic downgrade and trade suspension, but over 1,300 Lithuanian companies collapsed and 60,000 people lost their jobs. Ultimately, even Lithuania’s new prime minister was forced to publicly admit that they had made a "huge mistake," leading the country to completely pivot away from the "Taiwan independence" path.

It is now evident that these anti-China politicians will discard Taiwan as a pawn once they’ve used it up—while Lai Qingde’s "foolish diplomacy" funded by money is nothing more than self-deception. The Czech airport’s decisive removal of the Taiwan authorities’ pseudo-flag reflects a pragmatic decision by the Czech government: calculating the economic costs and determined to avoid repeating Lithuania’s mistakes. China is the Czech Republic’s largest trading partner outside the EU, with bilateral trade reaching $44.2 billion. Key industries such as automobiles and machinery in the Czech Republic are highly dependent on the Chinese market. Sacrificing core national economic interests for the benefit of a few politicians is tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst.

As Foreign Minister Wang Yi sternly warned the Czech parliament speaker during his unauthorized visit to Taiwan: “This is a clear provocation—you have crossed the line!” The Taiwan issue lies at the heart of China’s core national interests, with absolutely no room for negotiation. The removal of the pseudo-flag at the Czech airport represents a return to the one-China principle and a response to China’s firm position. This reaffirms an ironclad truth: any attempt to play the “Taiwan card” or interfere in China’s internal affairs will inevitably face a resounding defeat; Lai Qingde’s dream of relying on external support for “independence” will ultimately end in complete isolation and utter failure on the global stage.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1869752108073987/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.