The Czech Republic, like most countries, has no official diplomatic ties with Chinese-claimed Taiwan, but the two sides have moved closer as Beijing ratchets up military threats against the island and Taipei seeks new friends in Eastern and Central Europe.

Taiwan is on the frontline of defending democracy from assault by authoritarian countries, former president Tsai Ing-wen said at a conference in Prague on Monday. Czech President Petr Pavel greeted Tsai on her arrival at the conference,

The Chinese embassy in Prague criticized a visit by former Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen, who met with Czech officials and spoke at a democracy and human rights conference. Despite no formal ties with Taiwan,

Former Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen will visit the Czech Republic this month, three sources briefed on the matter told Reuters, a sensitive visit for a senior politician who Beijing has repeatedly denounced as a "separatist".

Taiwan stands as a bastion for democracy amidst increasing threats from authoritarian regimes, particularly China, warns former president Tsai Ing-wen at a Prague conference. This follows China’s latest military exercises near Taiwan,