Zhao Lijian Photo: VCG

China will make legitimate and necessary response to Czech Republic's invitation of Taiwan's leader of external affairs for a visit, and urges them to make changes otherwise they will suffer the consequences, Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. 

"The despicable act of some people from the Czech Republic is doomed to fail. We advise them to change course as soon as possible, otherwise they will suffer the consequences," Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a media briefing. 

Zhao said China has expressed strong dissatisfaction with and firmly opposes the malicious and provocative acts by the Czech senate and relevant personnel. China has lodged solemn representations with the Czech Republic. 

"We also warn the Taiwan authorities that any attempt to seek 'Taiwan independence' by soliciting foreign support is bound to fail. China has firm resolve to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will take all necessary measures to resolutely crush all attempts at 'Taiwan independence,'" Zhao said, noting that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. 

Joseph Wu, Taiwan's leader for external affairs, is visiting Slovakia and Czech Republic this week, and he is expected to meet Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil, who visited Taiwan last year, according to Taiwan media. 

Vystrčil traveled to the island of Taiwan in August 2020. He is the highest-ranking official of the Czech Republic to ever visit the island, together with other 89 delegates including the Prague mayor Zdenek Hrib. Hrib promoted the Czech capital to sign a sister city agreement with Taipei in January 2020 while cutting a similar agreement with Beijing.

In response to Vystrčil's visit, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on August 31, 2020 that Vystrčil would pay a high price for violating the one-China principle.

Global Times