China Cuts Ties with Czech President Over Dalai Lama Meeting
China has announced it is severing all diplomatic contacts with Czech President Petr Pavel following his meeting with the Dalai Lama last month, a move that has been described by Beijing as a serious violation of its sovereignty, reports 24brussels.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated, “In disregard of China’s repeated protests and strong opposition, Czech President Petr Pavel went to India to meet with the Dalai Lama. This seriously contravenes the political commitment made by the Czech government to the Chinese government, and harms China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Lin further emphasized that China “strongly deplores and firmly opposes this” and has lodged serious protests against the Czech government. He added, “In light of the severity of Pavel’s provocative action, China decides to cease all engagement with him.”
Pavel met the Dalai Lama, who celebrated his 90th birthday, during a private trip to India at the end of July. This meeting inflamed existing tensions between Prague and Beijing, as China does not recognize the Tibetan government-in-exile and views Tibet as an integral part of its territory.
The relationship between Pavel and China has been fraught, particularly after the Czech president’s controversial call to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen shortly after his inauguration in January 2023, which also drew Beijing’s ire.
In a recent statement, the Dalai Lama expressed his hope to “live beyond 130 years,” reflecting his ongoing efforts to promote Tibetan Buddhism and culture amidst the pressures from China.
China’s strong response underscores the growing diplomatic rift between Beijing and Prague, as concerns over sovereignty and territorial claims continue to shape international relations in the region.
