Czech Republic opens Taipei center to boost relations with Taiwan

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Czech Republic on Friday inaugurated a new center in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, to promote Czech culture and facilitate exchanges.

It is “another landmark in the already very strong relationship between the people of Taiwan and the people of Czechia," said Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, according to the Focus Taiwan.

Prague and Taipei do not have official diplomatic relations. However, the European nation has expressed increased interest in boosting relations with Taiwan, which China considers as its breakaway province.

The center was opened while a delegation of Czech lawmakers, led by Senate Vice President Jiri Drahos, visited Taipei.

Early in the day, Drahos met with Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te.

Taipei and Prague have fostered “close bilateral exchanges and fruitful cooperation based on the shared values of democracy, freedom and human rights,” Lai told the visiting delegation.

"Moving forward, industrial and cultural interactions between Taiwan and the Czech Republic are sure to become increasingly vibrant," he added

The delegation, which is on a six-day visit to the island nation since June 10, came after Lai was inaugurated last month, triggering angry military response from Beijing.

Lai had said Taipei was not subordinate to China.

Taipei’s number of diplomatic allies have come down to 12 in recent years.