【Reporter Hsu Ching-Chih, NCCU News】

On August 30, Miloš Vystrčil, President of the Czech Senate, arrived in Taiwan. On the 31st, he delivered his first public speech in Taiwan at NCCU, accompanied by a visiting delegation including Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib, Vice President of the Czech Academy of Sciences, university presidents, and directors from the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as 44 representatives from academic research institutions, culture, and media sectors.

NCCU is the Only University in Taiwan Offering a Czech Language Program

Exchanges between Taiwan and the Czech Republic have been frequent. In 2004, NCCU awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree to Václav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to administrative reform, democratic politics, and literature and drama. In 2019, Zdeněk Hřib, along with seven members of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, visited NCCU to discuss cooperation plans with President Guo Ming-Jen and then-Dean of the International College of Innovation Liu Fu-Kuo.

“The Czech Republic is Taiwan's best friend, and NCCU is the university with the closest exchanges with Czech universities,” President Guo Ming-Jen remarked. He further stated that NCCU is the most recognized university for humanities and social sciences in Taiwan and has made significant contributions to Taiwan’s freedom, democracy, and rule of law. NCCU is the best place to understand Taiwan’s economic, social, political, and cultural development. Through exchanges between the university and students, the friendship between Taiwan and the Czech Republic will be strengthened, and cooperation will be enhanced.

Additionally, President Guo quoted Qing Dynasty poet Sun Xingyan’s saying, “The most difficult thing is when an old friend arrives amidst the wind and rain,” describing how precious it is to have old friends visit during challenging times like the pandemic. “NCCU sees itself as the torchbearer of Chinese culture,” he continued. “We have established the Luo Jia-Lun International Sinology Chair, and over the next ten years, 40 of the world’s top 100 Sinologists will come to NCCU.” Looking ahead, NCCU will become a permanent beacon for international Sinology. He also hopes that more NCCU faculty and students will visit the Czech Republic, and that Czech students and scholars will come to NCCU, promoting joint teaching programs between the two countries and beyond.

Foreign Minister Joseph Wu stated that although Senate President Vystrčil was visiting Taiwan for the first time, he was already very familiar with Taiwan, which is why he chose NCCU for his first public speech. “As an NCCU alumnus, I feel deeply honored and am glad to be the introducer,” said Minister Wu. He also mentioned that NCCU is the cradle of Taiwan’s political and diplomatic talent and thanked NCCU for its long-standing role in promoting friendly relations between Taiwan and the Czech Republic on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The Senate is the most democratic and free institution in the Czech Republic,” Vystrčil emphasized. “Although Havel had already stepped down when he gave his speech at NCCU in 2004, to me, he is not only the former president but also the father of modern free democracy.” He noted that Havel for the Czech Republic is similar to what former President Lee Teng-hui represents for Taiwan—both created the beginning of a free and democratic society.

Vystrčil stated that defending democracy requires a certain amount of pain and courage. He mentioned that after the Velvet Revolution of 1989, the Czech Republic gained democracy and freedom. Vystrčil said, “This is just as courageous as the actions of Taiwanese students in March 1990.” He believes the Wild Lily Student Movement was an important turning point in Taiwan's democratization, and he also referred to the Sunflower Student Movement in Taiwan in 2014, saying, “The young people did great, thank you.” He was also happy to express his gratitude to the students who participated in the movements and to discuss the democratic journeys of both the Czech Republic and Taiwan at NCCU.

When talking about the possibilities of economic and cultural cooperation between Taiwan and the Czech Republic, Vystrčil humorously asked, “What would happen if a Taiwanese woman and a Czech woman worked together? They would make the best tennis doubles team in the world: Hsieh Su-Wei and Barbora Strýcová.” Vystrčil humorously remarked that the pandemic would eventually end and hopes that direct flights between Prague and Taipei will be available in the future to promote cooperation between Taiwanese and Czech businesses.

“The most important commonality between Taiwan and the Czech Republic, and our greatest advantage, is that we live in democratic and free countries,” Vystrčil said. “Freedom, truth, and justice are Taiwan’s sword and its strongest armor.” He urged the Taiwanese people to cherish their sword and armor.

During the Q&A session, the media mentioned that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had strongly stated that the visiting delegation's actions challenge the One-China principle and said they would not stand idly by and would make them pay a heavy price. Vystrčil responded by saying that the attendees, including the First Vice President of the Senate, the Chairman of the Education Committee, the Chairman of the Constitutional Committee, and the Chairman of the Economic Committee, all made their own decisions to visit Taiwan voluntarily because “we believe this is the right thing to do.” Vystrčil also mentioned that Taiwan and the Czech Republic’s long-term exchanges and cooperation in technology and epidemic prevention, with Taiwan helping Czech businesses enter Asia and the Czech Republic helping Taiwan open the European market, will certainly bring positive benefits to both sides.

At the end of the event, NCCU presented President Guo Ming-Jen’s personally planted award-winning tea, a teacup made by Tai-Hwa Kiln, and an album from the Taiwan Voices Children's Choir to President Vystrčil. The choir, made up of children from the Bunun tribe at Taiwan’s highest peak, Mount Jade, is known for its clear and soul-soothing voices and is referred to as “Taiwan’s Vienna Boys' Choir.” Vystrčil returned a commemorative plaque from the Czech Senate, stating that it was not only to commemorate this historic moment but also to remind everyone that truth, freedom, and justice are the main weapons in defending democracy. He concluded by reminding everyone to “learn to think.”

In terms of epidemic prevention measures, NCCU closely coordinated with the Central Epidemic Command Center, with the CDC sending personnel for guidance before and on the day of the event. Measures such as temperature checks, mask-wearing, and real-name registration were strictly enforced. The venue’s entrance and seating arrangements were divided for local and foreign participants. After the speech, the venue was immediately disinfected. The university followed the highest level of epidemic prevention standards. President Guo Ming-Jen and relevant personnel from the International Cooperation Office will also implement self-health management for seven days after the event.

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Original Source: NCCU Campus News